Tu és o Pedro.

You are Pedro.

Breakdown of Tu és o Pedro.

• ser: to be
• tu: you
• Pedro: Pedro

Questions & Answers about Tu és o Pedro.

Why is "tu" used here instead of "você"?

In European Portuguese, tu is the second-person singular pronoun used for informal settings among people who have a close relationship or are around the same age. Você is more common in Brazilian Portuguese or can be used in more formal or polite contexts in Portugal. However, in many regions of Portugal, using tu is completely natural and widely accepted in everyday conversations.

What is the role of "és" in this sentence?

És is the second-person singular present tense of the verb ser (“to be”) in European Portuguese. Because the subject pronoun is tu, we use és instead of é (which is the third-person singular form). So, tu és literally translates to you are in English.

Why is there an "o" before "Pedro"?

In Portuguese, it is quite common—especially in many European Portuguese dialects—to use a definite article (o or a) before a person’s name. It doesn’t necessarily change the meaning of the name itself; it’s simply a linguistic trait of the language. While in English you wouldn’t say the Pedro, in Portuguese it is completely natural to say o Pedro.

Is it always necessary to include "tu"?

Portuguese is a pro-drop language, meaning the subject can often be omitted when the verb form makes the subject clear. You might hear or see És o Pedro without tu. It’s still correct because és can only refer to tu. Including tu can add emphasis or clarity, but it’s not mandatory.

Would people say "Tu és o Pedro" in everyday conversation in Portugal?

Yes, it’s perfectly normal in many parts of Portugal. The exact usage depends on regional habits and personal relationships, but tu with és is widely understood. In more formal or polite contexts (like speaking to your boss or someone significantly older than you), people might use o senhor / a senhora é or even você é, but among friends and family, tu és is common.