How to Use Brazilian Portuguese Punctuation (With Examples)

Brazilian Portuguese punctuation is very similar to what’s used in Spanish, but it doesn’t work in exactly the same way. That’s why, when you start writing or reading in Portuguese, it’s common to have doubts about the comma in Portuguese, question marks, exclamation marks, quotation marks, hyphens, or even some symbols that change their name or function.

In this guide, you’ll learn how punctuation marks are used in Brazilian Portuguese, with simple explanations in English and clear examples of real language usage. We’ll see when question marks are used (or not), how the vírgula (comma) works, which symbols are the same, and which ones differ from English.

If you’re learning Portuguese and want to write better, avoid common mistakes, and understand the language as it’s actually used, this page will serve as a clear, practical reference you can come back to whenever you’re reading or writing in Portuguese.

Video: Punctuation Marks in Portuguese

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Main punctuation marks in Portuguese

Below, you’ll find the main punctuation marks used in Brazilian Portuguese, with simple explanations and real-life examples. In each section, you’ll learn what each punctuation mark is used for, how it works in practice, and when its usage may differ from Spanish or English.

Hífen (Hyphen – -)

The hífen (hyphen) is used to connect words, separate syllables, and form compound words.

• O anti-inflamatório foi eficaz.

List of Portuguese words with hyphens here.

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Parênteses (Parentheses – ( ))

They are used to add extra information or clarifications.

• O filme (que estreou ontem) foi um sucesso.

Travessão (Em dash —)

The travessão (em dash) is used to indicate dialogue, interruptions, or explanations.

• — Você vem amanhã? — perguntou Marcela.

Aspas simples (Single quotes – ' ')

Used to quote words or expressions within a text.

• O autor disse que 'a verdade é relativa'.

Aspas duplas (Double quotes – " ")

Used to quote speech, text, or dialogue.

• Ela disse: "Amanhã é um novo dia".

Arroba (At sign – @)

Used in email addresses and sometimes to indicate gender-neutral forms.

• O email dele é aprendendoportugues@brasil.br

English words pronounced in Portuguese

Vírgula (Comma – ,)

The vírgula (comma) is used to separate items in a list, add clarifications, or indicate pauses.

• Comprei maçãs, bananas, laranjas e uvas.

The difference a comma can make:

"Não espere."
"Não, espere."

Explanation: The first sentence is direct and clear, meaning “don’t wait.” The second one, with a comma, creates a pause that changes the intention, suggesting that despite the “no,” you should wait.

"Não queremos saber."
"Não, queremos saber."

Explanation: In the first sentence, there’s a clear refusal. In the second, the comma shows that despite the initial “no,” there is interest in knowing.

Article in Portuguese: How to use commas in Portuguese with practical examples

Ponto e vírgula (Semicolon – ; )

Used to separate related sentences or items in lists that already contain commas.

• Ele gosta de nadar; ela prefere correr.

Ponto (Period – .)

Indicates the end of a sentence.

• Segundo a previsão do tempo, amanhã o dia será ensolarado.

Dois pontos (Colon – : )

Used to introduce lists, explanations, or quotes.

• Eu preciso dos seguintes ingredientes: farinha, açúcar e ovos.

Reticências (Ellipsis – …)

Indicate a pause or that something was left unsaid.

• Eu não sei… talvez amanhã.

Interrogação (Question mark – ?)

Used at the end of a question.

• Você vai à festa hoje?

Exclamação (Exclamation mark – !)

Indicates surprise, emotion, or a command.

• Que dia maravilhoso!

Underline / Subtraço (Underscore – _)

Used to underline or emphasize text, especially in digital formats.

• O nome do arquivo é aulas_de_espanhol.docx.

Barra (Slash – /)

Used to indicate alternatives or divide elements.

• Você prefere café/chá?

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Contra barra (Backslash – \)

Used in programming or to separate directories in file paths.

• O diretório do arquivo é C:\Documentos\Trabalho.

Apóstrofo (Apostrophe – ')

Used to indicate the elision of letters.

• Essa foi a gota d'água que fez ele demitir 5 pessoas do setor de finanças da empresa.

d'água = de água

Colchetes (Square brackets – [ ])

Used to add clarifications or modifications within a text.

• O autor [João Silva] é renomado.

Chaves (Curly braces – { })

Used in mathematics or to group elements.

• Conjunto: {1, 2, 3, 4}.

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Jogo da velha (Hashtag – #)

Used on social media to tag topics or categories, and also in passwords or numeric systems.

• Depois de digitar o número da sua conta, aperte # para confirmar.

Extra Content

Video: How to Use Punctuation in Portuguese

A video from the channel “Português Sem Enrolação – Professora Lis”.