Original post by Danmoller | Archived post
When talking about places, the general rules for prepositions are:
- Em (no, na) = In, on, at (Current location)
- De (do, da) = from (Origin)
- A (ao, à) = to (Destination) (1)
- Para = to (Destination)
- Por (pelo, pela) = by, through (Motion in, on or through that place)
The forms in parentheses are the contractions of those prepositions with definite articles. Ex: "em + o = no".
Estou no trabalho. (I'm at work. - workplace)
Estou no restaurante. (I'm at/in the restaurant.)
O almoço está na mesa. (the lunch is on the table.)
Eu sou do Brasil. (I'm from Brazil.)
Eu vim de lá. (I came from there.)
Estou indo para casa. (I'm going home.)
Vou à escola. (I go to school.)
Passei pelo parque. (I went through the park.)
Ela passou por mim. (She passed by/near me.)
A formiga passeia pela (or na) mesa. (The ant walks on the table.)
(1) "A" is also used sometimes without "motion to", in expressions like:
- Está à beira do abismo. = He/she is on the edge of abyss.
- Ao lado da mesa = beside the table
- Ao longo da estrada = Along the road
Notice the positional words complementing the preposition: beira (edge/margin), lado (side), longo (long).
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