Portuguese Connectors: Mas, Então, Porque, and Também — Practice
A guided practice lesson with English explanations, Brazilian Portuguese examples, and answers you can check. Read the examples, recall the meaning, then say a version of your own.
Use mas to add a contrast
Mas means but and connects two ideas that contrast: I want to go, but I am working. Place it before the contrasting idea. A short sentence with mas is often easier to follow than two separate statements with no clear relationship.
Use a comma before mas when it joins two complete clauses in writing. In speech, a small pause can help your listener hear where the contrast begins.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Quero ir, mas estou trabalhando. | I want to go, but I’m working. |
| O café é pequeno, mas é aconchegante. | The café is small, but it’s cozy. |
| Entendi a pergunta, mas não sei a resposta. | I understood the question, but I don’t know the answer. |
Use porque to explain a reason
Porque means because when it introduces a reason. It answers a why question: Fiquei em casa porque estava chovendo (I stayed home because it was raining). Connect the reason to the action it explains.
Do not confuse porque (because) with por que in questions such as Por que você ficou em casa? (Why did you stay home?). Learn the question and answer forms together so the spelling difference has a clear job.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Vou de metrô porque é mais rápido. | I’m taking the subway because it’s faster. |
| Ela estudou porque tinha uma prova. | She studied because she had a test. |
| Por que você chegou cedo? Porque queria tomar café. | Why did you arrive early? Because I wanted to have coffee. |
Use então to continue or show a result
Então can mean then when you describe sequence and so when you describe a result. The surrounding sentence tells you which connection makes sense: first an event happens, and then you take a next step or describe its consequence.
Because então has more than one translation, remember a complete example rather than memorizing one English equivalent. It can also begin a response that moves the conversation forward.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| O ônibus atrasou, então pedi um carro. | The bus was late, so I ordered a car. |
| Primeiro vamos almoçar, então seguimos para o museu. | First we’ll have lunch, then we’ll go to the museum. |
| Então, você já conhece o Rio? | So, do you already know Rio? |
Use também to add matching information
Também means also or too. Its position can vary, but it commonly appears before the verb or after a verb phrase: Eu também gosto de música (I also like music) and Eu gosto de música também (I like music too). Choose a position that keeps your sentence clear.
Practice connecting two ideas: add a contrast with mas, give a reason with porque, show a next step with então, and add a related point with também. These four connectors can make a one-line answer sound complete without requiring advanced grammar.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Meu irmão também estuda português. | My brother also studies Portuguese. |
| Gosto de samba e também de bossa nova. | I like samba and bossa nova too. |
| Está chovendo, mas quero caminhar mesmo assim. | It’s raining, but I still want to go for a walk. |
Remember: Write four short sentences about one plan: add one mas, one porque, one então, and one também. Say them aloud and check that each connector shows the relationship you intend.
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.
I want to go, but I’m working.
Show a Portuguese answer
Quero ir, mas estou trabalhando.
The café is small, but it’s cozy.
Show a Portuguese answer
O café é pequeno, mas é aconchegante.
I understood the question, but I don’t know the answer.
Show a Portuguese answer
Entendi a pergunta, mas não sei a resposta.
I’m taking the subway because it’s faster.
Show a Portuguese answer
Vou de metrô porque é mais rápido.
She studied because she had a test.
Show a Portuguese answer
Ela estudou porque tinha uma prova.
Why did you arrive early? Because I wanted to have coffee.
Show a Portuguese answer
Por que você chegou cedo? Porque queria tomar café.
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.
Write four short sentences about one plan: add one mas, one porque, one então, and one também. Say them aloud and check that each connector shows the relationship you intend.
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 Portuguese Connectors: Mas, Então, Porque, and Também 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.
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