Em Vez de vs. Ao Invés de: How to Say “Instead of”
Em vez de is a flexible choice for “instead of”; ao invés de is traditionally used for an opposite.
Real Life Portuguese · 6 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Em vez de means instead of and works for choosing one action or thing in place of another. It is a safe, flexible phrase for most everyday substitutions.
Use em vez de for substitution
Before a verb, use de plus the infinitive: em vez de sair (instead of going out). Before a noun, keep the complete phrase together.
Vamos caminhar em vez de pegar um táxi.
Let’s walk instead of taking a taxi.
Pedi água em vez de refrigerante.
I ordered water instead of soda.
Ela escolheu o ônibus em vez do carro.
She chose the bus instead of the car.
Use ao invés de when you mean the opposite
Ao invés de is traditionally associated with contrast or the opposite direction: subir ao invés de descer (go up instead of down). In everyday speech, some people use it more broadly like em vez de.
If you want to avoid ambiguity in careful writing, choose em vez de for a substitution and reserve ao invés de for an actual opposition.
O elevador desceu ao invés de subir.
The elevator went down instead of up.
A temperatura caiu ao invés de subir.
The temperature fell instead of rising.
Ele respondeu ao contrário do que eu esperava.
He answered the opposite of what I expected.
Notice the contrast in the two choices
Ask whether the second option simply replaces the first or moves in the opposite direction. Em vez de is common when you are making a preference; ao invés de highlights opposition.
For another contrast pattern, review our guide to mas versus mais.
Fiquei em casa em vez de ir ao cinema.
I stayed home instead of going to the movies.
A bola rolou para trás ao invés de para a frente.
The ball rolled backward instead of forward.
Tomamos café em vez de chá.
We had coffee instead of tea.
Put it into practice
Use em vez de for a replacement. Use ao invés de when the second choice is the opposite of the first.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “We had coffee instead of tea”?
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