Learn Portuguese (Portugal): Nós somos americanos.

Nós somos americanos.

We are American.

Breakdown of Nós somos americanos.

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Questions & Answers about Nós somos americanos.

Do I always have to include the word nós to mean "we"?

Not necessarily! In Portuguese, the verb itself usually tells you who the subject is. Because the verb form somos only ever goes with nós, you can simply say Somos americanos. Including nós just adds a bit of emphasis, like saying "We are American."

Why do we use the verb form somos (from ser) here instead of estamos (from estar)?

The verb ser is used for permanent, defining, or long-lasting traits. This includes your nationality, identity, or where you are from. Since being American is a permanent fact about who you are, you use somos (we are) rather than the temporary verb estar.

In English we just say "We are American" without an "s". Why does americanos have an "s" at the end?

In Portuguese, adjectives (describing words) must match the subject they describe in both gender and number (singular or plural). Because nós (we) is plural, you must add an s to americano to make it plural too.

What if the group saying this is made up entirely of women?

If "we" refers to a group of only females, the adjective must change to match the feminine gender. They would say Nós somos americanas. The masculine plural form americanos is used for a group of men, or a mixed group of men and women.