A Gente vs. Nós: How Brazilians Say “We” in Conversation
Both forms can mean “we,” but a gente takes a third-person singular verb and is especially common in everyday Brazilian speech.
Real Life Portuguese · 5 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
A gente and nós both mean “we.” In everyday conversation in Brazil, a gente is extremely common. Nós is also natural, and it can sound more deliberate or more formal depending on the situation and the speaker.
The quick difference
The grammar is the part to remember: a gente takes the same verb form as ele or ela (third-person singular), while nós takes the nós verb form.
A gente vai sair mais tarde.
We are going out later.
Nós vamos sair mais tarde.
We are going out later.
A gente gosta desse lugar.
We like this place.
Nós gostamos desse lugar.
We like this place.
Keep the verb with a gente singular
Because a gente refers to more than one person, English speakers sometimes use the plural verb by mistake. In standard written Brazilian Portuguese, use a gente vai, a gente quer, and a gente chegou—not a gente vamos, a gente queremos, or a gente chegamos.
In speech, a gente often contracts to ‘a gente’ with the same verb: “A gente tá pronto” (We’re ready). The form of the verb still follows a gente, even when the subject means several people.
A gente tem tempo.
We have time.
A gente precisa conversar.
We need to talk.
Nós temos tempo.
We have time.
Choose the form that fits your sentence
If you are chatting with a friend, a gente is a comfortable default. Use nós when it fits the rhythm of what you are saying, when you want to emphasize “we,” or in writing that calls for that style. There is no single rule that every Brazilian speaker follows in every setting.
Try saying both versions aloud. Notice the ending on the verb: vai versus vamos, tem versus temos, quer versus queremos. That small sound cue helps you choose the matching form while you speak.
- With a gente: a gente fala, a gente pode, a gente fez.
- With nós: nós falamos, nós podemos, nós fizemos.
- In either case, the English translation can still be “we.”
Put it into practice
Build a short conversation around your own plans: “A gente vai…” or “Nós vamos…”. Listen to the complete phrase, then repeat it at a natural pace in Real Life Portuguese.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “We like this place”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
Build on this guide with everyday expressions and native Brazilian audio. Choose iPhone, Android, or the web app.