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How to Say ‘There are eight men carrying it.’ in Portuguese

São oito homens a carregar.

sow OY-too O-maynsh ah ka-rre-GAR

[sow OY-too O-maynsh ah ka-rre-GAR]

💬 Usage Tip: a + an action word (a carregar) is how Portugal says "-ing". Brazil says carregando instead. You'll hear estou a comer "I'm eating" everywhere.

Phrase Breakdown

São oito homens

sow OY-too O-maynsh

There are eight men

'São' is nasal: 'sow(ng)'. The 'h' in 'homens' is silent, and the ending sounds like 'O-maynsh'.

Example

São oito homens e duas mulheres.

There are eight men and two women.

Words in this phrase

São

[sow]

it is / they are

Plural form of 'ser'; used when stating a price in euros.

Example

São três euros, por favor.

It's three euros, please.

oito

[OY-too]

eight

The number 8.

Example

Somos oito pessoas.

We are eight people.

homens

[O-maynsh]

men

Plural of 'homem', man.

Example

Os homens estão cansados.

The men are tired.

a carregar.

ah ka-rre-GAR

carrying (it).

'A' + infinitive is the European Portuguese way to say '-ing'. The double 'rr' is a throaty sound.

Example

Estou a carregar as malas.

I'm carrying the bags.

Words in this phrase

[ah]

(progressive marker)

In European Portuguese, 'estar a + infinitive' means doing something right now.

Example

Estou a comer.

I am eating.

carregar

[ka-rre-GAR]

to carry

Verb meaning to bear a load; also to charge a battery.

Example

Ajudo a carregar as malas.

I help carry the bags.

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

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