ser
to be (permanent/essential)
Beginner Verb
🔊
Pronunciation
/seɾ/
💡
Cultural Note
Like Spanish, Portuguese has two verbs for 'to be': ser and estar. Ser expresses permanent or inherent qualities — identity, origin, profession, and personality. In Brazilian Portuguese, 'ser' is also used in time expressions: 'São duas horas' (It is two o'clock). The preterite forms of ser and ir are identical (fui, foste, foi...), distinguished only by context.
📝 Example Sentences
Eu sou brasileiro.
I am Brazilian.
Ela é médica.
She is a doctor.
Nós somos amigos desde a infância.
We have been friends since childhood.