Eu escrevo no papel.

I write on the paper.

Breakdown of Eu escrevo no papel.

• eu: I
• escrever: to write
• em: on
• o papel: the role

Questions & Answers about Eu escrevo no papel.

Can I drop the subject Eu and just say Escrevo no papel?

Yes.

In Portuguese (including European Portuguese), the subject pronoun is often omitted because the verb ending already shows who the subject is.

• Eu escrevo no papel. = Escrevo no papel.

Both mean I write on the paper, and both are correct.
Using Eu:

• adds emphasis (e.g. contrasting with someone else: Eu escrevo no papel, tu escreves no computador.)
• is more common in very simple learner sentences, but natives often drop it in context.

What exactly does no mean in no papel?

No is a contraction of the preposition em (in/on/at) + the masculine singular definite article o (the):

• em + o = no

So:

• no papel = em + o papel = on/in the paper

This kind of contraction is mandatory in normal speech and writing:

• em + a = na (feminine singular) → na mesa (on the table)
• em + os = nos (masculine plural) → nos livros (in the books)
• em + as = nas (feminine plural) → nas folhas (on the sheets)

Why is it no papel and not em papel? Is there a difference?

Yes, there is a difference in meaning and usage.

• no papel = on the paper (a specific piece of paper, already known or clear from context)
• em papel = in paper / using paper (more general or material-based, often sounds incomplete by itself)

Examples:

• Eu escrevo no papel. – I write on the (that) paper.
• Eu escrevo em papel reciclado. – I write on recycled paper. (here it’s about the type of paper)

So in your original sentence, no papel is the natural choice.

How would I say I write on a piece of paper instead of on the paper?

You change the article from definite (o) to indefinite (um):

• em + um = num

So:

• Eu escrevo num papel. = I write on a (some) paper / on a piece of paper.

Compare:

• Eu escrevo no papel. – on the paper (specific)
• Eu escrevo num papel. – on a paper / some paper (non‑specific)

Why is papel masculine? How do I make it plural?

In Portuguese every noun has a grammatical gender, and the gender is arbitrary; you just have to learn it with the word.

• o papel – the paper (masculine singular)
• os papéis – the papers (masculine plural; note the accent and change of spelling)

With the preposition:

• no papel = em + o papel
• nos papéis = em + os papéis

Example:

• Eu escrevo no papel. – I write on the paper.
• Eu escrevo nos papéis. – I write on the papers.

Is escrevo only used with eu? How is escrever conjugated in the present?

Yes, escrevo is the present-tense form for eu (I).

Present indicative of escrever (European Portuguese):

• eu escrevo – I write
• tu escreves – you write (singular, informal)
• ele / ela / você escreve – he / she / you (formal) write(s)
• nós escrevemos – we write
• vocês escrevem – you (plural) write
• eles / elas escrevem – they write

So Eu escrevo no papel uses the eu form.

Does Eu escrevo no papel mean I am writing on the paper (right now) or only I write on the paper (in general)?

By default, Eu escrevo no papel is a simple present: a habit, routine, or general fact.

To clearly express an action happening right now in European Portuguese, you usually use:

• Eu estou a escrever no papel. – I am writing on the paper (right now).

However, in context, Eu escrevo no papel can be understood as something happening now (for example, if you’re narrating what you’re doing), but the more natural and explicit “right now” form is:

• (Agora) estou a escrever no papel.

How is this sentence pronounced in European Portuguese?

Approximate IPA (European Portuguese):

• Eu escrevo no papel. → /ew ɨʃˈkɾevu nu pɐˈpɛɫ/

Some notes:

• Eu: /ew/ (one syllable, like English “eh-oo” fused)
• escrevo: the first e is very reduced /ɨ/, sc pronounced /ʃk/, stress on -cre-: /ɨʃˈkɾevu/
• no: /nu/
• papel: stress on the last syllable, /pɐˈpɛɫ/ (final l is “dark”, often like English u̯l).

A very rough English-like guide:
“Ew ish-KREH-voo noo pah-PEL” (but with shorter, tighter vowels than in English).

Is there any difference between European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese for this sentence?

Grammatically and in writing, Eu escrevo no papel. is correct and natural in both European and Brazilian Portuguese.

The main differences are:

• Pronunciation – Brazilian Portuguese will pronounce vowels more fully and clearly:
  • BR (rough): “Éw ehs-KREH-voh no pah-PEW”
  • PT: more reduced vowels, “ew ɨsh-KREH-vu nu pah-PEL”
• Continuous aspect:
  • PT: Estou a escrever no papel.
  • BR: Estou escrevendo no papel.

But your exact sentence in the simple present is shared by both varieties.

Can I change the word order, like No papel eu escrevo?

Yes.

• Eu escrevo no papel. – neutral, most common.
• Escrevo no papel. – same meaning, without the subject pronoun.
• No papel eu escrevo. – also correct, but it emphasises no papel (“on paper, that’s where I write”).

Eu no papel escrevo is technically possible but sounds unusual and very marked; it would normally be used only in very poetic or literary style. For everyday speech, stick to:

• (Eu) escrevo no papel.
• No papel (é que) eu escrevo. (the é que can add extra emphasis)

How would I add an object, like I write a letter on the paper?

The normal order is: subject + verb + direct object + place:

• Eu escrevo uma carta no papel. – I write a letter on the paper.

Other examples:

• Eu escrevo o nome no papel. – I write the name on the paper.
• Eu escrevo a resposta no papel. – I write the answer on the paper.

You can drop Eu if context is clear:

• Escrevo uma carta no papel.