Welcome to today’s Portuguese story! Today we’ll learn about a typical Brazilian breakfast through a simple story. You’ll learn essential Portuguese breakfast vocabulary, Portuguese daily routine verbs, and common expressions used in morning situations, and the Present tense verbs in Portuguese.
Learn Portuguese with Short Stories: ‘O Café da Manhã’ (Breakfast)
Table of Contents
Reading Level: Beginner
Estimated Time: 10 minutes
Focus: Portuguese breakfast vocabulary, Portuguese daily routine verbs, Present tense verbs in Portuguese
Story Title: O Café da Manhã
Vocabulary Preview (Portuguese breakfast vocabulary)
Before we dive into the story, let’s learn some key words:
| Portuguese | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| acordar | to wake up | Eu acordo cedo. (I wake up early.) |
| café da manhã | breakfast | O café da manhã está pronto. (Breakfast is ready.) |
| cozinha | kitchen | A cozinha é grande. (The kitchen is big.) |
| pão | bread | O pão está quente. (The bread is warm.) |
| leite | milk | Eu bebo leite. (I drink milk.) |
| manga | mango | A manga está doce. (The mango is sweet.) |
| delicioso | delicious | O café está delicioso. (The coffee is delicious.) |
The Story ( O Café da Manhã )
Portuguese Version
Maria acorda às 7 horas. Ela vai para a cozinha. Na mesa tem pão, café, leite e frutas. Ela adora manga e banana. Maria bebe café com leite e come pão com manteiga. “Que café da manhã delicioso!” ela diz.
English Translation
Maria wakes up at 7 o’clock. She goes to the kitchen. On the table, there is bread, coffee, milk, and fruits. She loves mango and banana. Maria drinks coffee with milk and eats bread with butter. “What a delicious breakfast!” she says.
Language Notes
Grammar Points (Present tense verbs in Portuguese)
- Present Tense Verbs
- acordar (to wake up) → acorda (wakes up)
- ir (to go) → vai (goes)
- beber (to drink) → bebe (drinks)
- comer (to eat) → come (eats)
- Time Expressions
- às 7 horas = at 7 o’clock
- Common Structures
- ter (to have) → tem (there is/are)
- adorar (to love) → adora (loves)
Present Tense Verb Conjugation
The present tense expresses actions or states occurring currently or continuously. In Portuguese, verbs are adjusted to match the subject of the sentence. Regular verbs follow a set pattern, making their conjugation easier to learn and use.
Read more about Conjugating Regular Verbs in the Present Tense.
Cultural Notes
In Brazil, breakfast (café da manhã) is an important meal but typically lighter than American or English breakfasts. Common items include:
- Pão francês (French bread rolls)
- Café com leite (coffee with milk)
- Frutas tropicais (tropical fruits)
- Manteiga (butter)
- Queijo (cheese)
Coffee is usually served hot and strong, often mixed with hot milk.
Practice Section
Comprehension Questions
- A que horas Maria acorda? (What time does Maria wake up?)
- O que tem na mesa? (What is on the table?)
- Qual fruta ela adora? (Which fruit does she love?)
Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences with the correct word:
- Maria _ às 7 horas. (acorda/acordar)
- Ela vai para a _. (cozinha/sala)
- Maria bebe café com _. (água/leite)
Speaking Practice
Practice saying these common breakfast-related phrases:
- Bom dia! (Good morning!)
- O café está pronto? (Is the coffee ready?)
- Quero café com leite, por favor. (I want coffee with milk, please.)
Writing Prompt
Write 3-4 sentences about your own breakfast routine in Portuguese. Use the vocabulary and verbs from the story.
Your Turn!
Now that you’ve learned about a Brazilian breakfast, try to:
- Practice the vocabulary during your own breakfast
- Write down what you eat for breakfast in Portuguese
- Record yourself reading the story aloud
Next Steps
- Practice using present tense verbs in daily situations
- Learn more food vocabulary
- Study other daily routine expressions
Did you enjoy this story? Leave a comment below with your breakfast routine in Portuguese! Subscribe to our newsletter for more Portuguese learning stories and tips.
Next story: “No Parque” (At the Park) – Coming soon!