Breakdown of Criei um novo utilizador e vou iniciar sessão no computador.
um
a
ir
to go
novo
new
e
and
em
on
o computador
the computer
criar
to create
o utilizador
the user
iniciar sessão
to sign in
Questions & Answers about Criei um novo utilizador e vou iniciar sessão no computador.
What tense is "Criei" and what does it imply?
Criei is the first‑person singular of the Portuguese pretérito perfeito (simple past) of criar. It states a single, completed action in the past: you created it and it’s done.
Why not "Tenho criado um novo utilizador"?
In European Portuguese, tenho criado (present perfect) usually means a repeated/ongoing action up to now (“I have been creating”). For a one‑off past event, use Criei.
Why is the subject pronoun omitted?
Portuguese is pro‑drop: the verb ending shows the subject, so eu is normally omitted. You’d add Eu only for emphasis or contrast (e.g., Eu criei, not someone else).
Why "um novo utilizador" and not "um utilizador novo"?
Both are grammatical but differ in nuance:
- um novo utilizador: a new/different user (an additional one; newly created account).
- um utilizador novo: a user who is new/young; it describes the noun’s quality. In IT contexts, um novo utilizador is the usual choice.
If the user is female, should it be "utilizadora"?
When referring to a person, yes: uma nova utilizadora. For the account type in general, utilizador is the default grammatical masculine; you might also say conta de utilizador.
What’s the difference between "utilizador" and "usuário"?
Both mean user. Utilizador is standard in Portugal; usuário is standard in Brazil. In Portugal, usuário is understood but sounds Brazilian.
Is "iniciar sessão" the only way to say "log in"?
No. Common PT‑PT options:
- iniciar sessão (standard/technical; UI labels)
- entrar (very common on websites: a button labeled Entrar)
- fazer login (informal but widespread)
- autenticar‑me / fazer autenticação (more formal/security).
Why is there no article in "iniciar sessão"?
Iniciar sessão is a fixed expression, so no article is used. Use iniciar a sessão only when a specific session is identified (e.g., iniciar a sessão do Parlamento).
Why "no computador" and not "ao computador" or something else?
no = em + o (“in/on the”). Logging in is treated as entering a state/place in the system, so iniciar sessão no computador. ao = a + o (“to the”) is not used here. For an indefinite device: num computador (= em + um, “on a computer”).
Can I use the simple future instead of "vou iniciar"?
Yes:
- iniciarei sessão (simple future), or
- irei iniciar sessão (periphrastic future). Everyday speech favors vou + infinitive; the simple future can sound more formal or planned.
Any pronunciation tips (European Portuguese)?
- Criei: [kree‑EY], gliding toward a diphthong.
- utilizador: stress the last syllable: uti‑liza‑DOR.
- sessão: double s = [s]; final ão is nasal (like “own” with nasalization).
- vou: like “voh”.
- computador: stress dor; the final r is often weak/soft.
Is "Criei um novo utilizador" ambiguous? How to be explicit that it’s an account?
Usually clear in IT contexts, but you can be explicit:
- Criei uma nova conta de utilizador.
- Or specify: Criei o utilizador maria.silva.
Do I need the article "um"?
Yes. Criei um novo utilizador is natural. Article‑less Criei novo utilizador sounds telegraphic/bureaucratic.
Any spelling traps with "sessão"?
Yes—different words:
- sessão = session.
- secção (Portugal) / seção (Brazil) = section.
- cessão = cession/transfer. Only sessão fits “log in.”
More from this lesson
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“What's the best way to learn Portuguese grammar?”
Portuguese grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.
Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor
Start learning PortugueseMaster Portuguese — from Criei um novo utilizador e vou iniciar sessão no computador to fluency
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.
- ✓ Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
- ✓ Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
- ✓ Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
- ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions