Adverbs of Affirmation and Negation

Adverbs of afirmaçãoaffirmationCommunity Slow audio Play audio Noun, Singular, Feminine and adverbs of negaçãonegationCommunity Slow audio Play audio Noun, Singular, Feminine are some of the most essential words in all of the Portuguese language (and, indeed, any language). They are always invariable, so there is no need to worry about different variations.

Affirmation

Adverbs of affirmation are, as the name implies, words which signify that a given statement is true, or “positive”. They include:

Sim

SimYesCommunity Slow audio Play audio Adverb literally just means yes. Things don’t get any simpler than this.
Example:
Sim, eu vou contigo.Yes, I’ll go with you.Community Slow audio Play audio

Realmente

RealmenteIndeedCommunity Slow audio Play audio Adverb is the equivalent of indeed in English.
Example:
Realmente, este casaco é confortável.Indeed, this jacket is comfortable.Community Slow audio Play audio

Certamente

CertamenteCertainly, for sureCommunity Slow audio Play audio Adverb is the Portuguese equivalent of certainly or for sure in English.
Examples:
Estás a perguntar-me se quero gelado? Certamente!You’re asking me whether I want ice-cream? For sure!Community Slow audio Play audio
Esse é certamente um bom motivo.That is certainly a good motive.Community Slow audio Play audio

Negation

Adverbs of negation, on the other hand, declare that a given statement is false, or “negative”. They include:

Não

The most frequently used adverb (maybe even word!) in the entire Portuguese language, NãoNo, notCommunity Slow audio Play audio Adverb is equivalent to no or not.
Example:
Não, não quero esse livro.No, I do not want that book.Community Slow audio Play audio

Nem

NemNot evenCommunity Slow audio Play audio Adverb corresponds to not even. It is often (but not always) paired with the word sequerevenCommunity Slow audio Play audio Adverb , which reinforces the negation expressed by nem.
Example:
Nem sequer trouxe o meu portátil.I didn’t even bring my laptop.Community Slow audio Play audio
Tu nem sequer tens tempo!You don't even have time!Community Slow audio Play audio
Eu nem sei o que dizer.I don't even know what to say.Community Slow audio Play audio

Nunca

NuncaNeverCommunity Slow audio Play audio Adverb is equivalent to never.
Example:
Nunca fui ao Algarve.I’ve never been to the Algarve.Community Slow audio Play audio

Jamais

JamaisNever everCommunity Slow audio Play audio Adverb is a very emphatic adverb. It’s a more intense version of never, so you could think of it as never ever.
Example:
Jamais voltarei àquele restaurante!I’ll never, ever return to that restaurant!Community Slow audio Play audio
Now that you’ve seen an example of each adverb, let’s practice using them in the next lesson.