Só, Apenas, and Somente: How to Say ‘Only’ in Portuguese — Practice

Use só in everyday conversation

Só is a very common way to say “only” or “just.” It can limit a person, quantity, time, or action. The part of the sentence you want to limit should be clear from context.

Use apenas or somente for emphasis

Apenas and somente can also mean “only.” They often sound more deliberate, written, or formal than só, although speakers use them in conversation too. Choose the form that fits your tone rather than treating one as a strict rule.

Notice which part of the sentence is limited

Só can appear in different positions, and the intended emphasis can shift. Só a Ana respondeu limits who responded; a Ana só respondeu pode suggest she responded but did nothing else. When the distinction matters, move só next to the word or action you mean to limit.

Remember: Só is a natural everyday choice; position it carefully so readers know what “only” limits.

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. I only have ten minutes right now.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Só tenho dez minutos agora.

2. I just want to confirm the address.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Quero só confirmar o endereço.

3. Registration is open only to enrolled students.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   A inscrição está aberta apenas para alunos matriculados.

4. Only people with a reservation may enter.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Somente pessoas com reserva podem entrar.

5. Only Ana replied to the email.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Só a Ana respondeu ao e-mail.

6. Ana only replied to the email; she didn’t call.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   A Ana só respondeu ao e-mail; não ligou.

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.

Só is a natural everyday choice; position it carefully so readers know what “only” limits.

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 Só, Apenas, and Somente: How to Say ‘Only’ in Portuguese 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.