Vou Fazer vs. Farei: Two Ways to Talk About the Future in Portuguese
Talk about plans and predictions with ir + infinitive, and recognize the simple future when you see it in writing.
Real Life Portuguese · 7 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
A very common way to talk about the future in Brazilian conversation is ir in the present tense plus an infinitive: vou estudar (I’m going to study), vamos sair (we’re going to go out). The verb ir changes to match the subject, while the second verb stays in its infinitive form.
Use ir plus an infinitive for common plans
This pattern works for intentions, arrangements, and expected actions. A time phrase such as amanhã or no fim de semana makes the plan easier to understand, but the sentence can stand without one when the context is clear.
Vou ligar para você depois da aula.
I’m going to call you after class.
A gente vai conhecer o centro amanhã.
We’re going to explore downtown tomorrow.
Eles vão chegar mais tarde.
They’re going to arrive later.
Recognize the simple future in formal or written contexts
Farei, estudaremos, and chegarão are forms of the simple future. This tense appears in writing, announcements, formal speech, and some predictions. It is useful to recognize even if you usually choose vou fazer when speaking casually.
The simple future often attaches endings to the infinitive: falar → falarei, vender → venderei, partir → partirei. Common irregular forms include farei (I will do), direi (I will say), and terei (I will have).
A equipe divulgará o resultado amanhã.
The team will announce the result tomorrow.
Farei o possível para chegar no horário.
I will do my best to arrive on time.
Teremos mais informações na próxima semana.
We will have more information next week.
Compare the meaning without treating the forms as interchangeable
Both forms can refer to future events, but they create different tones. Vou fazer is a flexible everyday choice. Farei may sound more formal, definite, or written, depending on the sentence and speaker. In a prediction or promise, the simple future can feel natural in a prepared statement.
Some varieties also use the future subjunctive in dependent clauses: quando eu fizer (when I do). That is a different structure from farei. Start by recognizing the main future forms, then learn the subjunctive in its own lesson rather than translating every future English sentence word for word.
Vou enviar o convite hoje.
I’m going to send the invitation today. (everyday plan)
Enviarei o convite ainda hoje.
I will send the invitation later today. (more formal tone)
Quando eu chegar, mando uma mensagem.
When I arrive, I’ll send a message.
Choose a form that matches your situation
For a conversation about your weekend, use vou + infinitive. For a formal email or a written notice, you may encounter the simple future. When you are speaking in a class, both can be useful: choose one, say it clearly, and notice how native speakers express similar plans in context.
For more tense practice, explore the Real Life Portuguese guides to present-tense routines and Brazilian past tenses. I Speak Portuguese teachers can help you turn a written plan into a natural spoken exchange. Tone is shaped by the full sentence, not by the verb alone.
O que você vai fazer depois do trabalho?
What are you going to do after work?
A empresa informará os próximos passos por e-mail.
The company will share the next steps by email.
Vamos conversar sobre isso amanhã.
We’re going to talk about this tomorrow.
Put it into practice
Use vou/vai/vamos + infinitive for many everyday plans. Recognize forms such as farei and chegará in more formal or written contexts, and let context guide your choice.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “I’m going to call you after class”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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