Portuguese Frequency Words: Sempre, Geralmente, Às Vezes, and Nunca
A few flexible frequency expressions make it easier to describe habits and routines without learning a new verb tense.
Real Life Portuguese · 5 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Sempre means always, geralmente means usually or generally, às vezes means sometimes, and nunca means never. These words help you describe how often something happens while keeping the rest of the sentence simple.
Learn the everyday frequency scale
You can use them with familiar present-tense verbs. A gente geralmente almoça em casa (We usually eat lunch at home) describes a routine; às vezes signals that the action happens on some occasions, not all the time.
Eu sempre tomo café de manhã.
I always drink coffee in the morning.
A gente geralmente volta de ônibus.
We usually come back by bus.
Às vezes, trabalho de casa.
Sometimes I work from home.
Put the frequency word near the verb
Frequency words often appear before the main verb, but sentence rhythm and emphasis can move them. A common pattern is subject + frequency word + verb: Ela raramente chega atrasada (She rarely arrives late). Às vezes can also begin the sentence.
Never uses não in some common Brazilian Portuguese expressions: Eu nunca como carne and Eu não como carne. The first means I never eat meat; the second usually means I don’t eat meat. The exact implication depends on context, so do not add nunca automatically when you only mean a general preference.
Ele quase sempre responde rápido.
He almost always replies quickly.
Raramente assistimos televisão.
We rarely watch television.
Eu nunca acordo antes das seis.
I never wake up before six.
Make a routine sound specific
Add a time or situation so the listener knows what the habit refers to: aos sábados (on Saturdays), depois do trabalho (after work), or quando chove (when it rains). You can then ask another person about their routine with Você costuma…? (Do you usually…?).
Aos sábados, quase sempre faço compras cedo.
On Saturdays, I almost always shop early.
Você costuma cozinhar durante a semana?
Do you usually cook during the week?
A gente às vezes pede comida depois da aula.
We sometimes order food after class.
Put it into practice
Choose three frequency words and describe three habits that are true for you. Add a day, place, or time to make each sentence concrete.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “We sometimes order food after class”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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