Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): Ao pequeno-almoço, como iogurte com fruta.

Ao is the contraction of a + o (to + the). In this sentence it means roughly “at/during/for,” so ao pequeno-almoço means “at/for breakfast.” This is the most idiomatic way in European Portuguese to say what you have for a given meal:

Ao pequeno-almoço, como iogurte…
Ao almoço, bebo água.
Ao jantar, como sopa.

Why is there a hyphen in pequeno-almoço?

In European Portuguese, pequeno-almoço (breakfast) is a set phrase and is written with a hyphen. Writing pequeno almoço without the hyphen is considered nonstandard. The spelling also retains the ç in almoço.

Is the comma after Ao pequeno-almoço necessary?

It’s optional. The initial time phrase Ao pequeno-almoço has been fronted for emphasis, and a comma is often used after such fronted adverbials. You could also write it without the comma:

Ao pequeno-almoço, como iogurte…
Ao pequeno-almoço como iogurte…

Could I put the time phrase at the end instead?

Yes. Word order is flexible:

Como iogurte com fruta ao pequeno-almoço. Fronting the time phrase (as in the original) just foregrounds the time context.

Why is it como and not eu como?

Portuguese is a “null-subject” language: the verb ending -o already shows the subject is “I.” Eu can be added for emphasis or contrast:

Como iogurte… = I eat yogurt…
Eu como iogurte… = I (as opposed to someone else) eat yogurt…

Does como here ever get confused with como meaning “as/how”?

They’re spelled the same, but context makes it clear. Here, como is the 1st-person singular of comer (to eat). There’s no accent to distinguish them in Portuguese (unlike Spanish cómo). In speech, the meaning is clear from context and intonation.

Is the sentence talking about a habit or about right now?

In Portuguese, the simple present often expresses habits. So the most natural reading is habitual: “At breakfast, I (usually) eat yogurt with fruit.” To emphasize habit, you can say:

Costumo comer iogurte com fruta ao pequeno-almoço. To say you’re doing it right now:
Estou a comer iogurte com fruta ao pequeno-almoço.

Should I use tomar for meals instead of comer?

Use tomar for “to have a meal or drink”: tomar o pequeno-almoço, tomar café, tomar chá.
Use comer for eating specific foods: comer iogurte, comer fruta. So your sentence with comer is perfect. Saying tomar iogurte is less common unless you mean “have” in a very general sense.

What’s the difference between ao pequeno-almoço and no pequeno-almoço?

Both are possible but not identical in feel.

Ao pequeno-almoço focuses on what you have for that meal (choice of food): “for breakfast.”
No pequeno-almoço means “at the breakfast (event/time),” often used for things that happen during that meal. Examples:
Ao pequeno-almoço, como iogurte. (What I have for breakfast.)
No pequeno-almoço, falámos dos planos. (At breakfast, we talked about plans.)

Why is there no article before iogurte or fruta?

When talking about foods in a general or mass sense, Portuguese often omits the article:

Como iogurte = I eat yogurt (in general / some yogurt). If you mean one serving or one pot, use the indefinite article:
Como um iogurte (commonly “a yogurt,” i.e., a pot). If referring to specific, previously mentioned items, use the definite article:
Como o iogurte e a fruta que comprei.

Should it be fruta or frutas?

fruta (singular) = fruit in general or an unspecified amount.
frutas (plural) = multiple fruits or different kinds. So iogurte com fruta suggests “yogurt with fruit (pieces/pulp).” iogurte com frutas highlights that there are several types of fruit.

Is iogurte com fruta the same as iogurte de fruta?

Not quite.

iogurte com fruta suggests yogurt that contains fruit pieces/pulp.
iogurte de fruta is “fruit-flavoured yogurt” (often without real chunks). More natural is to name the fruit:
- iogurte de morango, iogurte de pêssego, etc.

How do I pronounce the sentence in European Portuguese?

Approximate IPA: /aw pɨˈkenu aɫˈmosu, ˈkomu juˈɣuɾtɨ kõ ˈfɾutɐ/ Tips:

Ao = like English “ow.”
pequeno = pɨ-KEH-noo (the first vowel is like a reduced “uh”).
almoço = al-MOH-soo; ç sounds like “s.”
como = KOH-moo.
iogurte = yoo-GOOR-tɨ (final vowel often very reduced).
com = nasal “kohng” (õ).
fruta = FROO-tɐ (tapped r).

What would the Brazilian Portuguese version be?

In Brazil, pequeno-almoço isn’t used. They say café da manhã. Also, the progressive form uses estar + gerúndio:

Habit: No café da manhã, eu como iogurte com fruta.
Right now: Estou comendo iogurte com fruta no café da manhã.

Can I say para o pequeno-almoço instead of ao pequeno-almoço?

Use para o pequeno-almoço when something is intended for breakfast (purpose), not typically for what you consume:

Comprei iogurtes para o pequeno-almoço. (I bought yogurts for breakfast.) For stating what you eat for that meal, ao pequeno-almoço is the idiomatic choice:
Ao pequeno-almoço, como iogurte…