An Overview of the Preterite (Pretérito Perfeito)
The preterite is used to describe actions completed in the past, e.g.:
Ontem comprei um computador.
Unlike the imperfect (comprava), which describes ongoing or habitual past situations, the preterite is used for completed events with a clear endpoint.
How to Form the Preterite
The preterite is formed by adding specific endings to the verb stem. The endings vary depending on the subject (eu, tu, etc.) and the verb type (-ar, -er, -ir).
-ar verbs (e.g.: falar)
| Subject |
Ending |
Example |
| eu |
-ei |
falei |
| tu |
-aste |
falaste |
| ele/ela/você |
-ou |
falou |
| nós |
-ámos |
falámos |
| vocês/eles |
-aram |
falaram |
👉 Note: the nós form (falámos) is distinct from the present (falamos) by the accent.
-er verbs (e.g.: vender)
| Subject |
Ending |
Example |
| eu |
-i |
vendi |
| tu |
-este |
vendeste |
| ele/ela/você |
-eu |
vendeu |
| nós |
-emos |
vendemos |
| vocês/eles |
-eram |
venderam |
-ir verbs (e.g.: partir)
| Subject |
Ending |
Example |
| eu |
-i |
parti |
| tu |
-iste |
partiste |
| ele/ela/você |
-iu |
partiu |
| nós |
-imos |
partimos |
| vocês/eles |
-iram |
partiram |
👉 Note: the nós form (partimos) is identical to the present.
⚠️ Important spelling changes
Some verbs change spelling in the eu form:
-
-car → -quei (ficar → fiquei)
-
-gar → -guei (pagar → paguei)
-
-çar → -cei (começar → comecei)
Irregular Preterite Forms
Some very common verbs are irregular and must be memorized:
| Infinitive |
Preterite (eu) |
| ser / ir |
fui |
| dar |
dei |
| dizer |
disse |
| fazer |
fiz |
| querer |
quis |
| ter |
tive |
| poder |
pude |
| vir |
vim |
| ver |
vi |
👉 These verbs often have irregular stems across the paradigm.
🧠 Key contrasts
| Tense |
Meaning |
| falei |
"I spoke" (completed action) |
| falava |
"I was speaking / used to speak" |
🔑 Key point
The preterite is used for completed, specific events in the past, often with time markers such as:
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