Read through the dialogue. Then listen again and follow along.
A
A gente chama um táxi?
Should we call a taxi?
B
Não, eu prefiro andar.
No, I'd rather walk.
A
Mas é muito longe.
But it's really far.
B
Tá bom, pode chamar então.
OK, you can call one then.
📌 "A gente" = nós (informal "we")
In everyday Brazilian Portuguese, a gente is used far more than nós to mean "we." It always takes a 3rd person singular verb (the same as ele/ela):
Pronoun
Formal
Informal (spoken)
we call
nós chamamos
a gente chama
we go
nós vamos
a gente vai
we prefer
nós preferimos
a gente prefere
we are
nós somos / estamos
a gente é / tá
A gente chama um táxi? — literally "the people call a taxi?" but means "Should we call a taxi?" The question intonation makes it a suggestion.
📌 PREFERIR + infinitive · PODER + infinitive
Structure
Example
Meaning
preferir + inf
Eu prefiro andar.
I prefer to walk / I'd rather walk
preferir + inf
Ela prefere ficar em casa.
She'd rather stay home
poder + inf
Pode chamar então.
You can call / Go ahead and call
poder + inf
Pode falar.
You can speak / Go ahead
Pode + infinitive is also used to give permission or encourage someone to proceed — very natural and polite.
🗣️ Ponto fonológico — "Tá bom": Just like estou → tô (EP7), the verb está contracts to tá in informal speech. So Está bom → Tá bom. You'll also hear tá alone as a quick "OK" or "got it" — like a verbal nod. This reduction of est- to just a t is one of the most consistent features of colloquial Brazilian Portuguese.
🚕 Transporte no Brasil: Taxis are common in Brazilian cities, but since around 2015 Uber (and 99, its local competitor) have become the default choice for most urban Brazilians — cheaper and easier to track. Walking distances are often underestimated by visitors, as Brazilian cities are large and the heat can be intense. Muito longe (very far) is a common warning locals give before sending someone on foot!
✏️ Exercises
Exercise 1 — True or False?
Based on the dialogue, choose the correct answer.
1. Person A suggests calling a taxi.
2. Person B prefers to take a taxi.
3. Person A says the destination is very far.
4. In the end, they decide to walk.
Exercise 2 — Fill in the blanks
Complete each sentence with the correct word or expression from the word bank.
a genteprefiromuito longetá bompode chamar
1. vai de Uber, tá?
2. Eu trabalhar de casa.
3. Não vou a pé — é !
4. — Posso ligar amanhã? — , sem problema.
5. um Uber então.
Exercise 3 — "A gente" + the right verb form
Choose the correct verb form to complete each sentence. Remember: a gente always takes the 3rd person singular (he/she form).
1. A gente ___ um táxi.
2. A gente ___ ao cinema.
3. A gente ___ trabalhar.
4. A gente ___ muito. (to talk)
5. A gente ___ no centro.
Exercise 4 — Your turn
Answer in Portuguese. Write your own answers. There are no right or wrong responses — this activity is about expressing your own ideas and experiences.
1. How do you prefer to get around in your city? Answer using Eu prefiro + [transport].
2. Write a short dialogue (3–4 lines) between two people deciding how to get somewhere. Use A gente + verb? for the suggestion and Prefiro / Tá bom in the replies.
3. Use Pode + infinitive to give permission or encourage someone in two different situations from your work or daily life.
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