The Most Common Irregular Verbs in Portuguese (List, Conjugation & PDF)

Irregular verbs in Portuguese are verbs that don’t follow the regular conjugation patterns: their stem or endings change in ways you can’t fully predict from the rules, which makes them one of the trickiest parts of learning the language. On this page you’ll find a clear list of the most common irregular verbs in Portuguese, with their key conjugations, audio, example sentences, and a free PDF you can download to study and review anytime.

Instead of overwhelming you with endless conjugation tables, I focused on the forms that actually matter and that learners get wrong most often. Each verb comes with real Brazilian Portuguese example sentences and audio, so you can hear how it’s used in everyday speech and train your ear while you learn the conjugations. It’s built to be a practical reference you can come back to, whether you’re a beginner or already have a foundation.

You can go through the list and conjugations right here on the page, and also download the PDF with the irregular verbs in Portuguese conjugated, perfect for offline study and quick review before a lesson or a trip to Brazil. If you want to see the full conjugation of any verb, just click on it in the list below.

Video: Explanation of 20 Irregular Verbs in Portuguese

[PDF] Irregular Verbs in Portuguese

Repetition is essential for learning how to conjugate irregular verbs in Portuguese. Download the PDF and review the content regularly.

[Download the PDF here]

Complete List of the 20 Irregular Verbs in Portuguese

There are many ways to conjugate these verbs in Portuguese. Many of them are identical or similar to Spanish, so this list focuses on the conjugations that differ the most, allowing you to concentrate on what really matters. If you want to see all conjugations, simply click on the verb in the list.

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On the other side: regular verbs (the ones that follow the pattern)

Now that you’ve seen the irregulars, it’s worth understanding the contrast, because it’s the best way to lock in the concept. The difference between a regular and an irregular verb in Portuguese is simple: irregular verbs, like “fazer” (eu faço) or “pôr” (eu ponho), change the stem in unpredictable ways and have to be memorized one by one; regular verbs, on the other hand, keep the root intact and only change the ending, following a fixed pattern (-AR, -ER, or -IR). In other words: once you learn the pattern of one regular verb, you can conjugate hundreds more. That’s why the irregular verbs are the ones that truly deserve your attention and practice, while the regular ones flow almost on their own once you understand the logic.

Below you’ll find a sample of regular verbs commonly used in Brazil, each with a short definition. This isn’t the complete list of every regular verb in Portuguese (that would take a whole post), but a practical selection so you have the most common everyday ones on hand to review whenever you need.

* These verbs have a more detailed post on the blog, with their various meanings, uses, and example sentences. Click the verb to see the full explanation.

Practice Sentences with Irregular Verbs in Portuguese

Here you’ll find sentences with irregular verbs in Portuguese, organized so you can see how they are conjugated in real-life contexts. Each verb includes practical examples and audio to help you recognize the correct forms and avoid common mistakes made by Spanish speakers.

1. TRAZER (trouxe – trazido – trouxer)

Trazer is used to express the idea of bringing something toward the speaker or toward a specific reference point. It’s one of the most common irregular verbs in everyday Brazilian Portuguese.

English equivalent: to bring (brought – brought)

Examples:

• Você vai trazer comida pra gente?
  (Are you going to bring food for us?)
• Se você tivesse trazido comida, ninguém estaria com fome.
  (If you had brought food, no one would be hungry.)
• Quando você trouxer a comida, lembre de deixá-la na mesa da cozinha.
  (When you bring the food, remember to leave it on the kitchen table.)

2. PEDIR (peço – peça)

Pedir is used to ask for something: a favor, an item, information, or even a formal request (like asking for a raise). It’s very common in everyday and workplace situations in Brazilian Portuguese.

English equivalent: to ask for / to request

Examples:

• Sempre que peço um aumento pro meu chefe, ele inventa uma desculpa pra não me dar.
  (Every time I ask my boss for a raise, he makes up an excuse not to give me one.)
• Peça o aumento pro seu chefe em outra época do ano.
  (Ask your boss for a raise at another time of the year.)

3. MEDIR (meço)

Medir is used to talk about measuring or calculating dimensions, quantities, height, weight, or distance.

English equivalent: to measure

• Eu meço 1.79 de altura.
  (I’m 1.79m tall.)

4. ESTAR (estava – estive – esteja – estiver)

Estar is used to talk about temporary states, location, conditions, or situations that can change.

English equivalent: often translates as to be (temporary/state/location)

• A gente estava/tava jantando com uns amigos.
  (We were having dinner with some friends.)
• Ontem eu estive/tive com o pessoal nesse restaurante.
  (Yesterday I was with the group at that restaurant.)
• Quando eu chegar eu te aviso pra que você esteja tranquila.
  (When I get there, I’ll let you know so you can relax.)
• Quando você estiver por aqui me avisa, faz tempo que não saímos.
  (When you’re around, let me know—it’s been a while since we went out.)

5. SER (fosse – for)

Ser is used to describe identity, permanent characteristics, profession, or origin.

English equivalent: often translates as to be (identity/permanent traits)

• Se eu fosse você não faria isso.
  (If I were you, I wouldn’t do that.)
• Quando você for o gerente da empresa me contrate.
  (When you’re the company manager, hire me.)

6. IR (fosse – for)

Ir is used to express movement or going to another place.

English equivalent: to go

• Se eu fosse lá todo dia com certeza teria algum desconto.
  (If I went there every day, I’d definitely get some kind of discount.)
• Quando você for no supermercado me avisa pra eu ir com você.
  (When you go to the supermarket, let me know so I can go with you.)

7. VIR (vim – vem – veio – vier)

Vir is used to express movement toward the speaker (or toward a reference point where the speaker is).

English equivalent: to come

• Eu vim aqui ontem mas ele não tava.
  (I came here yesterday, but he wasn’t here.)
• Ele vem sempre por aqui acompanhado ou sozinho?
  (Does he always come around here with someone, or alone?)
• Da última vez ele veio com a namorada.
  (Last time he came with his girlfriend.)
• Se ele vier por aqui me avisa.
  (If he comes by, let me know.)

8. VER (vejo – visse – vir)

Ver is used to talk about seeing, watching, noticing, or realizing something.

English equivalent: to see / to watch (depending on context)

• Eu sempre vejo esse casal por aqui.
  (I always see that couple around here.)
• Se eu visse esse seriado todo dia não teria tempo pra nada.
  (If I watched that show every day, I wouldn’t have time for anything.)
• Quando eu vir algo suspeito eu te aviso.
  (When I see something suspicious, I’ll let you know.)

9. SABER (saiba – soube – souber)

Saber is used to express knowledge, information you’ve learned, or something you know for a fact.

English equivalent: to know (facts/information)

• Eu tô falando isso só pra que você saiba que estou aqui pra te ajudar.
  (I’m saying this so you know I’m here to help you.)
• Quando eu soube do que aconteceu fiquei chocada.
  (When I found out what happened, I was shocked.)
• Se você souber de alguma notícia dele me avisa.
  (If you hear any news about him, let me know.)

10. TER (tive – teve – tiver)

Ter is used to express possession, existence, or experiences you’ve had.

English equivalent: usually to have

• Eu tive um problema técnico com meu carro.
  (I had a technical problem with my car.)
• Você sempre teve esse carro?
  (Have you always had this car?)
• Quando você tiver um 4×4 me avisa pra gente ir fazer trilha.
  (When you have a 4×4, let me know so we can go off-roading.)

11. CABER (coube – caiba – cabido – couber)

Caber is used to say whether something fits, whether there’s enough space, or whether something is possible within a limit.

English equivalent: to fit

• Tivemos que alugar um carro maior porque a mala não coube no porta-malas.
  (We had to rent a bigger car because the suitcase didn’t fit in the trunk.)
• Talvez se a gente tirar algumas coisas caiba.
  (Maybe if we take a few things out, it’ll fit.)
• Se não couber tudo me avisa que eu empresto meu carro.
  (If everything doesn’t fit, let me know and I’ll lend you my car.)

12. HAVER (houve – haja – houvesse)

Haver is mainly used to express that something exists or happened, often in impersonal expressions. In everyday conversation, people often use ter instead, but you’ll still see haver in writing and more formal contexts.

English equivalent: “there is/there are”, “there was/there were” (depending on context)

• Houve várias broncas na empresa.
  (There were several problems at the company.)
• Talvez haja uma forma mais fácil de resolver isso.
  (Maybe there’s an easier way to solve this.)
• Se houvesse uma forma mais fácil teria sido melhor.
  (If there had been an easier way, it would’ve been better.)

Ter vs Haver in Portuguese: What’s the Difference and When to Use Each

13. PODER (posso – pude – pôde)

Poder expresses possibility, permission, or ability to do something.

English equivalent: can / to be able to (and sometimes may)

• Eu posso conversar com você?
  (Can I talk to you?)
• Eu nunca pude falar tudo que penso.
  (I was never able to say everything I think.)
• Ele nunca pôde falar comigo sozinho.
  (He was never able to talk to me alone.)

14. LER (lido – lesse)

Ler is used for the act of reading texts, books, messages, or written information.

English equivalent: to read

• Eu jurava que você já tinha lido esse livro.
  (I swore you had already read that book.)
• Se eu lesse mais todos os dias já teria terminado tudo.
  (If I read more every day, I’d have finished everything already.)

15. SAIR (saia – saio – saísse)

Sair means to leave, to go out, or to get out of a place or situation.

English equivalent: to leave / to go out (depending on context)

• Saia daqui o quanto antes.
  (Get out of here as soon as possible.)
• Eu saio, mas não tive culpa de nada.
  (I’m leaving, but none of this was my fault.)
• Se eu saísse mais conheceria mais pessoas.
  (If I went out more, I’d meet more people.)

16. PÔR (pus – pôs – puser)

Pôr is used to talk about putting or placing something somewhere.

English equivalent: to put / to place

• Eu pus a comida em cima da mesa.
  (I put the food on the table.)
• Ele pôs a cerveja na geladeira.
  (He put the beer in the fridge.)
• Se você puser uma roupa formal me avisa.
  (If you put on something formal, let me know.)

Pôr, Colocar, or Botar? How Brazilians Really Use These Verbs

17. FAZER (fiz – fez – faço – fizer)

Fazer is used to talk about actions, activities, and things you do or make.

English equivalent: to do / to make (depending on context)

• Eu sempre fiz isso e nunca tive problemas.
  (I’ve always done this and I’ve never had problems.)
• Ele também fez e deu certo.
  (He did it too, and it worked.)
• Se eu fizer errado você me ajuda?
  (If I do it wrong, will you help me?)

18. OUVIR (ouço – ouviu)

Ouvir is used to talk about hearing or listening to sounds, voices, or information.

English equivalent: to hear / to listen (depending on context)

• Sempre que ouço sua voz lembro do meu pai.
  (Whenever I hear your voice, I remember my dad.)
• Você ouviu o que eu falei?
  (Did you hear what I said?)

19. DAR (deu – dei – desse – der)

Dar is used to express giving, offering, handing something over, or granting something.

English equivalent: to give

• Ele me deu um desconto.
  (He gave me a discount.)
• Eu dei um desconto porque ele é cliente frequente.
  (I gave a discount because he’s a regular customer.)
• Se você me der um desconto eu volto aqui.
  (If you give me a discount, I’ll come back.)

20. QUERER (quis – quisesse – quiser)

Querer expresses desire, intention, or willingness.

English equivalent: to want

• Ele sempre quis te conhecer.
  (He always wanted to meet you.)
• Se você quiser eu posso conversar com ele.
  (If you want, I can talk to him.)

21. DIZER (disse – dito – disser)

Dizer is used to express words, opinions, or messages—basically, to say or tell something.

English equivalent: to say / to tell (depending on context)

Examples:

• Eu disse pra ele ter mais cuidado.
  (I told him to be more careful.)
• Se você tivesse dito isso antes tudo seria diferente.
  (If you had said that earlier, everything would be different.)
• Quando você disser algo assim pense duas vezes.
  (When you say something like that, think twice.)

Different ways to use JEITO in Portuguese.

[Download the list of the irregular verbs here]

Future Subjunctive with Irregular Verbs in Portuguese (SER/IR)

The future subjunctive in Portuguese can be confusing, especially with irregular verbs like ser and ir.

In the following video, you’ll learn how it works, when to use it, and how Brazilians actually use it in everyday speech.

[Full post here]

Correct Portuguese Verb Forms That Sound Like Big Mistakes in Spanish

In this extra section, you’ll see Portuguese verb forms that are correct, but that can sound like a “big mistake” to Spanish speakers (for example, resolvido, envolvido, morrido). Below you’ll find real Portuguese sentences with their English translations, plus an audio track so you can train your ear and avoid common mix-ups between the two languages.

[Full post here]

Audio Reading of the Sentences

Verb Resolver: Resolvido / Resolved

• Todos os problemas foram resolvidos.
  (All the problems were resolved.)

Verb Desenvolver: Desenvolvido – Developed

• Esse projeto já está muito desenvolvido.
  (This project is already very developed.)

Verb Devolver: Devolvido – Returned

• O carro foi devolvido sem nenhum problema.
  (The car was returned with no problems.)

Verb Envolver: Envolvido – Involved

• Eu não tinha nem ideia que ele tava envolvido nesse escândalo.
  (I had no idea he was involved in that scandal.)

Verb Voltar: Voltado – Back / Returned

• Se eu fosse você eu teria voltado pra lá.
  (If I were you, I would have gone back there.)

Verb Morrer: Morrido – Dead

• Quando eu cheguei lá ele já tinha morrido.
  (When I got there, he had already died.)

Ways to say MORIR in Portuguese.

Verb Traduzir: Traduziu – Translated

• Ela traduziu o documento completo sem nenhum erro.
  (She translated the full document without any mistakes.)

Translating doesn’t mean you can speak.

Verb Progredir: Progredido – Progressed

• Fico feliz de que você tenha progredido.
  (I’m happy you’ve progressed.)

Verb Entregar: Entregue – Delivered

• As provas foram entregues ao diretor do colégio.
  (The tests were delivered to the school principal.)

Verb Produzir: Produziu – Produced

• Ele produziu muitos vídeos ensinando português.
  (He produced many videos teaching Portuguese.)

Support Content to Help You Avoid Speaking “Portuñol”

[Full post here]