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Eu gosto de pimenta no peixe.

Eu gosto de pimenta no peixe.
I like pepper on fish.
FromLesson 38inHardcore Portuguese (Portugal)

Breakdown of Eu gosto de pimenta no peixe.

eu
I
gostar de
to like
o peixe
the fish
em
on
a pimenta
the pepper

Questions & Answers about Eu gosto de pimenta no peixe.

Why is it “gosto de” and not just “gosto pimenta”?

In Portuguese, gostar takes the preposition de before what you like. So you say:

  • Gosto de pimenta.
  • Gosto de peixe.
  • Gosto de cozinhar. When the noun is definite, de merges with the article: de + o = do, de + a = da, de + os = dos, de + as = das (e.g., Não gosto do peixe = I don’t like the fish [that specific fish]).
What does no mean here?
No is the contraction of em + o and means “in/on the.” In this sentence it’s “on (the) fish.” Related forms: na (em + a), nos (em + os), nas (em + as).
Do I need the subject pronoun Eu?
No. Portuguese often drops subject pronouns because the verb ending shows the subject. Gosto de pimenta no peixe. is the most natural everyday version. Use Eu for emphasis or clarity.
Should it be de pimenta or da pimenta?
  • de pimenta = pepper in general (a non-specific, “some pepper” idea).
  • da pimenta = a specific pepper previously mentioned or understood (e.g., Gosto da pimenta do moinho = I like the pepper from the grinder [we’re talking about]).
In Portugal, does pimenta mean black pepper or chili?
In European Portuguese, pimenta usually means pepper as a spice, typically black pepper (ground or in grains). For chili peppers, people say malagueta or piri-piri. The sweet bell pepper is pimento (not “pimentão,” which is more Brazilian).
What’s the difference between no peixe and com peixe?
  • no peixe = literally on the fish (sprinkled or applied to the fish itself).
  • com peixe = with fish (as a combination or accompaniment). Both can be fine depending on what you want to emphasize.
Why is it singular no peixe if I mean “on fish” in general?
Portuguese often uses the singular with a definite article to talk about a category in general (e.g., O peixe é saudável = Fish is healthy). So no peixe can mean “on fish (in general)” in a natural way.
Can I say em peixe instead of no peixe?
Not in this context. You need the article: no peixe. Without the article, em peixe sounds unidiomatic here.
How do I say “I like to put/sprinkle pepper on fish”?
  • Gosto de pôr pimenta no peixe. You can also specify amount: Gosto de pôr um pouco de pimenta no peixe.
How do I make it negative or say “a little”?
  • Negative: Não gosto de pimenta no peixe.
  • “A little”: Gosto de um pouco de pimenta no peixe.
    If you mean “not much,” use pouca: Gosto de pouca pimenta no peixe.
How would I specify the type of pepper?
  • pimenta preta = black pepper
  • pimenta branca = white pepper
  • pimenta em grão = whole peppercorns
  • pimenta moída = ground pepper
  • Chili heat: piri-piri / malagueta (e.g., Gosto de piri-piri no peixe.)
  • Bell pepper: pimento (e.g., Gosto de pimento no peixe. if you mean pieces of bell pepper)
How is the sentence pronounced in European Portuguese?

Approximate: “eh-oo GOHSH-too d(ih) pee-MEN-tah noo PAYSH(uh)” IPA (EP): [ew ˈɡɔʃtu dɨ piˈmẽtɐ nu ˈpejʃ(ɨ)] Notes:

  • s in gosto is [ʃ] (like “sh”).
  • Final e in peixe is often a very light [ɨ] or dropped.
  • Stress: go- in gósto, men- in piménta, péi in péixe.
How does “gostar” conjugate in the present (quick reference)?
  • eu gosto
  • tu gostas (informal singular, common in Portugal)
  • ele/ela gosta
  • nós gostamos
  • vocês/eles/elas gostam
Does Gosto do peixe com pimenta mean the same thing?
No. Gosto do peixe com pimenta means “I like the fish with pepper” (a specific fish/dish). For a general statement, stick with Gosto de pimenta no peixe or say Gosto de peixe com pimenta (I like fish with pepper).
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