How We Use A Gente and As Pessoas in Portuguese

If you're learning Portuguese, at some point you probably wondered what "a gente" means in Portuguese, or how to say people in Portuguese, because it almost never translates the way you'd expect. Here in Brazil we use "a gente" all the time, and it rarely means what an English speaker pictures the first time they hear it.

In this lesson I show you, with everyday examples, how "a gente" and "as pessoas" in Portuguese actually work, how to say person in Portuguese, and when to reach for "a pessoa", "você", "minha gente", "pessoal" or "galera". That way you stop getting confused and start sounding much more natural when you talk with Brazilians.

Video: How to Use "a gente" and "as pessoas" in Portuguese

In this video I show you how we use a gente and as pessoas in Portuguese in real situations, so you can hear the pronunciation and the rhythm we speak with here in Brazil. It's perfect if you'd rather learn by ear before moving on to the written examples.

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Portuguese Phrases to Practice "a gente" / "as pessoas"

Below I've put together real phrases to practice a gente and as pessoas in Portuguese, each one with its translation and its nuance. You'll see that the same word changes meaning depending on the context, and that's exactly what trips most people up at first.

A GENTE

A gente in Portuguese means we, but in an informal way: it's how almost all of us here in Brazil talk in everyday life. Even though it looks like it should mean "the people", here it doesn't, it means we.

• A gente precisa pagar essas dívidas sem mexer no dinheiro da empresa.
• Nós precisamos pagar essas dívidas sem mexer no dinheiro da empresa.

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• Se a gente fosse mais ligada esses golpes não aconteceriam

When you use "a gente", there's room for doubt: is it talking about the people or about us?

• Se as pessoas fossem mais ligadas esses golpes não aconteceriam. (the people)
• Se nós fôssemos mais ligadas esses golpes não aconteceriam. (we / us)

A PESSOA

A pessoa in Portuguese is the person, though we often use it like the impersonal "one" in English. If you're wondering how to say person in Portuguese, this is the word: pessoa. The context tells you whether I'm talking about someone specific or just anyone in general.

• Aí a pessoa fala pra ele que é pra fazer de um jeito e ele faz de outro.
• A pessoa chega lá e eles te tratam muito bem.

In this last example you'll see that I use "pessoa" twice, the first as "one" and the second as "the person".

• A pessoa quer resolver o problema mas a outra pessoa não colabora.

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Also as "the person".

• A pessoa que chegar aqui vai notar esse erro na hora.

AS PESSOAS

As pessoas in Portuguese means the people, in the plural. It's the most neutral way to refer to a group, and it works a lot like people in Portuguese when you're talking in general. Here in Brazil we use it a ton to talk about others without pointing at anyone.

In this example "as pessoas" is used as "the people".

• Depois da reunião as pessoas começaram a fofocar sobre a vida dele.
• Agora que ele foi promovido no trabalho as pessoas não param de puxar o saco dele.

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VOCÊ

Você in Portuguese normally means you, but in phrases like these we use it as the impersonal "one". It's a really common use in Brazil that sometimes throws you off, because the same word works both to address someone and to speak in general.

In this case "você" is used as "one".

• Aí você não se dá conta se tão falando sério ou não. (a pessoa)
• Você chega lá e eles sempre dizem que não tem vaga.

In this other phrase it's used as "you".

• Assim você não se dá conta.

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MINHA GENTE

You'll use "minha gente" whenever you're talking to a group of people.

• Minha gente, só um momento aqui pra eu explicar pra vocês como é que vai ser a dinâmica.

PESSOAL

You'll also use "pessoal" to refer to a group of people.

• Fala aí pessoal, tá todo mundo pronto pra gente começar a trilha de hoje?

GALERA

Always for a group of people. For example, "minha galera" is the same as saying "my crew / my people".

• Fala aí galera! tudo em ordem?

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