A1 · Unit 1 · Lesson 2
Ser: who and what things are
The verb ser in the present tense — identity, origin, profession, and permanent qualities.
“Ser” is the “to be” for things that stay put — who you are, where you're from, and what you do for a living.
The present-tense shapes of ser
Ser changes with the subject: eu sou, você/ele/ela é, nós somos, eles/elas/vocês são. These four forms cover almost every sentence.
Conjugate it — ser
Present · reveal each person, then keep the cheat card.
Eu sou estudante.
I am a student.
Nós somos amigos.
We are friends.
Elas são italianas.
They are Italian.
Jobs and nationalities skip the article
Where English says “a teacher”, Portuguese simply says “professor”. The word also shifts its ending for men and women.
Ele é cozinheiro.
He is a cook.
Ela é dentista.
She is a dentist.
Somos canadenses.
We are Canadian.
Saying where you're from with “de”
Origin uses “ser” plus “de”. When the place carries a “the”, “de” merges with it: de + o Brasil = do Brasil.
Spot the pattern
“De” melts into the article that follows. Predict the merged form.
Sou de Lisboa.
I'm from Lisbon.
Ela é do Canadá.
She is from Canada.
Eles são da Argentina.
They are from Argentina.
Common mistakes
- — Don't add “um/uma” before a job: it's “sou médico”, not “sou um médico”.
- — Use ser for lasting facts; how you feel right now belongs to estar (the next lesson).
- — “De” glues to articles: de + o = do, de + a = da — never leave them apart.
14 exercises · pass at 85% · missed items return until you clear them