Eu fui para a loja ontem.

I went to the store yesterday.

Breakdown of Eu fui para a loja ontem.

• eu: I
• para: to
• ir: to go
• ontem: yesterday
• a loja: the store

Questions & Answers about Eu fui para a loja ontem.

Why is the verb fui used here instead of era or estava?

In Portuguese, fui is the simple past form of ir (to go), indicating a completed action: “I went.” The verbs era (was) or estava (was) have different uses, generally related to states or ongoing past situations, not a specific completed movement to a place.

What is the function of para in para a loja?

Para indicates direction or destination (“to the store”). In English, it often translates as “to.” It can sometimes also convey purpose, but in this sentence, it’s simply showing where you went.

Could I say Eu fui à loja instead of Eu fui para a loja?

Yes. In Brazilian Portuguese, fui à loja and fui para a loja are generally interchangeable when talking about going somewhere. The form fui à loja is more formally correct because à is the contraction of a + a, matching the feminine loja. However, fui para a loja is also widely accepted in everyday speech.

Why does the sentence use ontem at the end rather than at the beginning?

Ontem (yesterday) can appear at either the beginning or the end of the sentence in Portuguese. Whether you place it before or after the main phrase doesn’t change the meaning; it’s just a matter of style or emphasis.

Is there a difference between Eu fui para a loja ontem and Eu fui para a loja ontem à tarde?

Yes, ontem simply states “yesterday,” while ontem à tarde specifies the time of day (“yesterday afternoon”), providing a more precise context about when you went to the store.