Eu escrevo o código no computador.

I write the code on the computer.

Breakdown of Eu escrevo o código no computador.

• eu: I
• escrever: to write
• em: on
• o computador: the computer
• o código: the code

Questions & Answers about Eu escrevo o código no computador.

Do I need to say Eu, or can I just say Escrevo o código no computador?

You don’t need Eu.

In Portuguese, the verb ending (-o in escrevo) already shows the subject is I, so both are correct:

• Eu escrevo o código no computador. – I write the code on the computer. (More emphasis on I.)
• Escrevo o código no computador. – I write the code on the computer. (More neutral/typical.)

In normal conversation you often drop Eu, unless you want to stress who is doing the action or avoid ambiguity.

Why is it escrevo and not escreve?

Because escrevo is the 1st person singular (I) form of the verb escrever in the present tense.

• eu escrevo – I write
• tu escreves – you write (informal singular, in Portugal)
• ele/ela/você escreve – he/she/you write

So with Eu, you must use escrevo, not escreve.

How is escrever conjugated in the present tense (European Portuguese)?

Here is the full present indicative of escrever:

• eu escrevo – I write
• tu escreves – you write (informal singular)
• ele / ela / você escreve – he / she / you (formal) write
• nós escrevemos – we write
• vós escreveis – you (plural, very rare in modern speech)
• eles / elas / vocês escrevem – they / you (plural) write

In everyday European Portuguese, people mostly use tu and vocês (or o senhor/a senhora etc. for formal).

Why is there an o before código? Could I say Eu escrevo código?

O is the definite article the, and in Portuguese it’s used more often than in English.

• Eu escrevo o código no computador.
  → Literally: I write *the code on the computer.
  This sounds like you are talking about some *specific code (for this program/task).

You can say Eu escrevo código, but that changes the meaning slightly:

• Eu escrevo código.
  → I write code (in general, as an activity/profession).

So:

• with article (o código) – specific code.
• without article (código) – code in general.

What’s the difference between o código and um código?

• o código = the code
  → Some specific code that both speaker and listener know about.

• um código = a code
  → One code, not specifically identified.

Examples:

• Eu escrevo o código no computador.
  I write the code on the computer (the code we already mentioned or know about).

• Eu escrevo um código no computador.
  I write a code on the computer (some code, not specified which).

What does no mean literally in no computador?

No is a contraction of em + o:

• em = in / on / at
• o = the (masculine singular)

So:

• em + o = no → no computador = in/on the computer.

Similarly:

• em + a = na → na mesa = on the table
• em + os = nos → nos computadores = on the computers
• em + as = nas → nas mesas = on the tables

Can I say no meu computador instead of no computador?

Yes.

• no computador → on the computer (could be any computer, context must clarify whose)
• no meu computador → on my computer (specifically yours)

So:

• Eu escrevo o código no computador. – I write the code on the computer.
• Eu escrevo o código no meu computador. – I write the code on my computer.

The structure is:
no + possessive + noun → no meu computador, na tua mesa, nos seus ficheiros, etc.

Can the word order change? For example, can I say Eu escrevo no computador o código?

The most natural order is the one you have:

• Eu escrevo o código no computador.

You can move things around, but some orders sound unnatural or too heavy.
Eu escrevo no computador o código is grammatically possible, but it sounds odd in everyday speech.

More natural variations:

• Escrevo o código no computador. (drop Eu)
• Eu escrevo o código no computador de casa. (add extra information at the end)

In general, keep: [subject] + [verb] + [direct object] + [place/time]
→ Eu + escrevo + o código + no computador

Does código here mean computer code specifically?

Yes, in context, código usually means computer/programming code:

• escrever código = to write code (as a programmer)

But código in Portuguese can also mean:

• código de barras – barcode
• código de conduta – code of conduct
• código postal – postal code

So the exact meaning depends on context. In IT or programming context, código almost always means programming code.

How would I say “I am writing the code on the computer (right now)” in European Portuguese?

European Portuguese usually uses estar a + infinitive for the present continuous:

• Eu estou a escrever o código no computador.
  → I am writing the code on the computer (right now).

Compare:

• Eu escrevo o código no computador.
  → I write the code on the computer (habitually, generally).

Both are correct; the estar a + infinitive form highlights that it’s happening now.

Is the sentence the same in Brazilian Portuguese?

Yes, the sentence Eu escrevo o código no computador. is also correct in Brazilian Portuguese.

Main differences would be:

• Pronunciation, not spelling.
• For “I am writing…”, Brazilians prefer estar + gerúndio:
  • Eu estou escrevendo o código no computador. (Brazil)
  • Eu estou a escrever o código no computador. (Portugal)

Why do código and computador use o instead of a?

Because both nouns are masculine in Portuguese:

• o código – masculine singular
• o computador – masculine singular

The definite article must match the gender and number:

• masculine singular: o código, o computador
• feminine singular: a mesa, a pasta
• masculine plural: os códigos, os computadores
• feminine plural: as mesas, as pastas

How do I make the sentence plural, like “We write the codes on the computers”?

You need to change:

• the subject (eu → nós)
• the verb (escrevo → escrevemos)
• the nouns and articles to plural (o código → os códigos, o computador → os computadores)
• no to nos (em + os)

Result:

• Nós escrevemos os códigos nos computadores.
  → We write the codes on the computers.

Can I say em computador instead of no computador?

Normally, no. You would almost always use an article:

• no computador (em + o) – on the computer
• num computador (em + um) – on a computer

Em computador without any article sounds incomplete or very technical/elliptical, and is not how people naturally speak in this context. Stick to no computador or num computador.