Episode Overview

Podcast: Speaking Brazilian Podcast
Host: Virginia Langhammer
Episode Title: When do we use “nós” or “a gente” in Brazilian Portuguese?
Date: November 28, 2025

Virginia Langhammer, an experienced Brazilian Portuguese teacher, explores the difference between the pronouns "nós" and "a gente." She clarifies their grammatical uses, cultural preferences, and common mistakes, offering clear examples to help learners choose the right form in different situations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Understanding “nós” and “a gente”

• Virginia begins by introducing the two primary ways to say “we” in Brazilian Portuguese:
  • “nós” (the traditional, grammatically standard form)
  • “a gente” (a colloquial, universally used form in spoken language)
• Quote [00:08]:
  • “Em português, temos duas formas de dizer ‘nós’: a forma tradicional ‘nós’ e a forma coloquial ‘a gente’.”
  • (“In Portuguese, we have two ways to say ‘we’: the traditional form ‘nós’ and the colloquial form ‘a gente’.”)

2. Formal vs. Colloquial Contexts

• “nós” is more common in formal writing and prepared speech.
• “a gente” dominates everyday conversation and informal communication.
• Quote [00:23]:
  • “Na linguagem coloquial, a maioria das pessoas usa ‘a gente’ no Brasil.”
  • (“In colloquial speech, most people use ‘a gente’ in Brazil.”)

3. Examples and Usage

• Example for “nós”:
  • “Nós comemos pizza.” (“We eat pizza.”)
• Example for “a gente”:
  • “A gente come pizza.” (“We eat pizza.”)
• Virginia emphasizes the importance of subject-verb agreement:
  • “nós” + verb in the first person plural
  • “a gente” + verb in the third person singular

4. Common Mistakes & Clarifications

• Learners often confuse the verb conjugation with “a gente.”
• “A gente” may look plural, but always triggers third person singular verbs.
• Quote [00:55]:
  • “Mesmo que ‘a gente’ signifique ‘nós’, o verbo vai para terceira pessoa do singular.”
  • (“Even though ‘a gente’ means ‘we’, the verb goes in the third person singular.”)

5. Don’t Confuse With “agência” (agency)

• Virginia mentions the similarity in sound between “a gente” (we) and “agência” (agency), but clarifies their meanings and pronunciations.
• She jokes with the example of James Bond working at an agency (“uma agência”), not to be confused with “a gente.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Virginia [01:22]:
  • “Não confunda! ‘A gente’ não é ‘agência’. ‘A gente’ significa ‘nós’. ‘Agência’ é lugar onde alguém trabalha, como James Bond.”
  • (“Don’t get confused! ‘A gente’ is not ‘agência’. ‘A gente’ means ‘we’. ‘Agência’ is a place where someone works, like James Bond.”)

Important Timestamps

• 00:08 — Introduction to “nós” and “a gente”
• 00:23 — Colloquial vs. formal preference
• 00:37 — Example sentences
• 00:55 — Grammatical rule: verb agrees with “a gente” as 3rd person singular
• 01:22 — “agência” vs. “a gente” clarification with James Bond reference

Tone & Style

Virginia maintains a friendly, encouraging, and clear teaching style throughout, using practical examples and humor (“James Bond trabalha numa agência!”) to make distinctions memorable.

Summary Takeaway

This episode guides learners through the practical differences between “nós” and “a gente,” emphasizing that “a gente” dominates everyday Brazilian Portuguese, but must always be paired with third-person singular verbs, despite its plural meaning. The lesson is concise, full of helpful tips, and contains plenty of authentic language examples to improve listening and speaking skills.