Questions & Answers about Vamos na direção errada.
Why use Vamos (simple present) instead of Estamos a ir (present continuous) if the English translation is 'We are going'?
In European Portuguese, verbs of motion like ir (to go) and vir (to come) are typically used in the simple present tense even when describing an action happening right now. Saying estamos a ir sounds unnatural in this context.
Why do we use the preposition em (contracted here as na) instead of para since we are talking about movement?
While para is used for your final destination (like vamos para Lisboa), the preposition em is used when talking about the physical path, trail, or direction you are taking to get there. So, we say na direção errada (in the wrong direction).
Could Vamos na direção errada also mean 'Let's go in the wrong direction'?
Yes, grammatically vamos is used for both 'we are going' (the present indicative) and 'let's go' (the imperative). The meaning almost always comes from context. If you jokingly wanted to tell your friends to walk the wrong way, you would use this exact same sentence.
Does the adjective errada change its meaning if placed before the noun (na errada direção)?
Placing an adjective before the noun in Portuguese is often used for poetic effect or to emphasize a subjective feeling. However, a physical direction is a literal, objective thing, and errada classifies it factually. Because of this, the adjective needs to stay after the noun. Saying na errada direção sounds highly unnatural to a native speaker.
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