How to Use Nem in Portuguese: “Not Even,” “Neither,” and “Nor” — Practice

Use nem for “not even”

Nem often adds emphasis to a negative statement. In English, the closest translation may be “not even,” especially when the sentence says that an expected or small action did not happen.

The word itself signals the addition, so a separate não is not always needed immediately before it. Learn the whole phrase and listen for how the negative idea is structured.

Use nem eu to agree with a negative statement

Nem eu means “me neither” or “I don’t either.” It is a short, natural response when someone says they do not have, know, or want something and you share that negative situation.

For a fuller reply, repeat the relevant verb phrase. The short response is enough when the earlier sentence makes the meaning clear.

Join two negative options with nem… nem

Nem… nem joins alternatives in a negative list and usually translates as “neither… nor.” The construction helps you say that both options are outside the situation.

If the alternatives are nouns, repeat nem before each one. In speech, the pause and emphasis also help listeners follow the pair.

Remember: Think of nem as adding a negative point: it can emphasize “not even,” respond with “me neither,” or connect alternatives as “neither… nor.”

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. He didn’t even reply to the message.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Ele nem respondeu à mensagem.

2. I don’t even have five minutes right now.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Não tenho nem cinco minutos agora.

3. She left without even saying goodbye.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Ela saiu sem nem dizer tchau.

4. — I don’t know that place. — Me neither.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   — Eu não conheço esse lugar. — Nem eu.

5. — I don’t want dessert. — I don’t either.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   — Não quero sobremesa. — Eu também não.

6. Ana didn’t know the time either.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Nem a Ana sabia o horário.

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

Think of nem as adding a negative point: it can emphasize “not even,” respond with “me neither,” or connect alternatives as “neither… nor.”

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our How to Use Nem in Portuguese: “Not Even,” “Neither,” and “Nor” lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.