Learn Portuguese (Portugal): Eu compro limões no supermercado.

Eu compro limões no supermercado.

I buy lemons at the supermarket.

Breakdown of Eu compro limões no supermercado.

Questions & Answers about Eu compro limões no supermercado.

How do you form the plural limões from the singular word for lemon?

The singular word for lemon is limão. Most Portuguese nouns that end in -ão form their plural by dropping the -ão and adding -ões. So, limão becomes limões.

Why is it no supermercado instead of just translating 'at the' word-for-word?

In Portuguese, the preposition em (in/on/at) must combine with the definite article that follows it. To say 'at the' before a masculine noun like supermercado, you blend em + o (the) to create the mandatory contraction no.

Can I leave out the word Eu and just say Compro limões?

Yes! Because the verb ending -o in compro already tells us that 'I' am the one buying, it is completely natural and very common to drop the Eu (I) in everyday Portuguese.

What does the little wave mark (tilde) do to the sound of limões?

The tilde over the o makes it a nasal vowel, meaning the air flows through your nose as you say it. The -ões ending sounds roughly like a nasal 'oy' followed by an 'sh' sound.