Learning a new language often starts with simple words. One of the first things beginners look for is how to say “she” in another language. If you are curious about how to say “she” in Portuguese, the answer is straightforward but also full of useful grammar tips that can make your learning journey smoother. In this guide, we’ll break everything down step by step in a way that is easy to understand, even if you’re completely new to Portuguese. By the end of this article, you’ll know how to use “she,” how to say “she is,” and how to make sentences with confidence.
What is “She” in Portuguese?
In Portuguese, the word for “she” is “ela.” It is a simple, short word, and it works almost exactly like the English “she.” You use it when talking about a woman, a girl, or a female subject in general. Just like in English, it replaces the name of the person so you don’t have to repeat it all the time.
For example:
- Maria is happy. → Ela está feliz. (She is happy.)
- Ana likes music. → Ela gosta de música. (She likes music.)
So, whenever you need to say “she” in Portuguese, remember the word “ela.” It’s short, easy, and one of the first pronouns every learner should know.
How to Say “She is…” in Portuguese
The phrase “she is” in Portuguese depends on the situation. The language has two main verbs for “to be”: “ser” and “estar.”
- Ela é → “She is” (for permanent qualities, like “She is tall”).
- Ela está → “She is” (for temporary states, like “She is tired”).
Examples:
- Ela é professora. (She is a teacher.)
- Ela está cansada. (She is tired.)
This difference is very important in Portuguese grammar. It might seem strange at first, but with practice, you will get used to it. Just remember: “é” is for what she always is, and “está” is for how she feels right now.
Easy Sentences Using “Ela”
Once you know “ela” means “she” in Portuguese, it becomes easier to make sentences. Let’s explore some simple situations.
Describing People
You can use “ela” to describe how someone looks or who they are.
- Ela é alta. (She is tall.)
- Ela é bonita. (She is beautiful.)
- Ela é estudante. (She is a student.)
Talking About Feelings
Portuguese makes it simple to express emotions with “ela.”
- Ela está feliz. (She is happy.)
- Ela está triste. (She is sad.)
- Ela está com medo. (She is scared.)
Talking About Jobs or Roles
“Ela” also works when saying what someone does for work or in life.
- Ela é médica. (She is a doctor.)
- Ela é artista. (She is an artist.)
- Ela é mãe. (She is a mother.)
With these examples, you can already start making useful sentences in Portuguese, even if you’re a beginner.
When to Use “Ela” Instead of Other Words
Sometimes learners confuse when to use “ela” and when to use other words like “a menina” (the girl) or “a mulher” (the woman). The rule is simple: if you don’t want to repeat the name or title, use “ela.”
For example:
- Ana é minha amiga. Ela mora em Lisboa.
(Ana is my friend. She lives in Lisbon.)
Instead of repeating “Ana,” Portuguese uses ela just like English uses “she.”
What is “Her” in Portuguese?
The word “her” in Portuguese changes depending on the sentence. Sometimes it is “ela” again, but sometimes it changes to “dela” or “a” depending on the role in the sentence.
- Subject form (she) → ela
- Possessive (her book) → o livro dela
- Object (I saw her) → Eu a vi or Eu vi ela
Examples:
- This is her house. → Esta é a casa dela.
- I like her. → Eu gosto dela.
At first, this may look confusing, but the good news is that practice makes it easier. Just remember that “dela” is often used to mean “her” when showing possession.
How to Say “Girl” in Portuguese
The Portuguese word for “girl” is “menina.” Another common word is “garota.” Both mean girl, but “menina” is more common in Portugal, while “garota” is often used in Brazil.
Girl vs. Woman
It’s important to know the difference:
- Menina / Garota = girl (young female)
- Mulher = woman (adult female)
For example:
- Ela é uma menina. (She is a girl.)
- Ela é uma mulher. (She is a woman.)
Talking About Young Girls
If you want to be specific about age, Portuguese also uses words like “garotinha” (little girl) or “criança” (child).
Difference Between “Ela” and “Ela É”
Many beginners ask about the difference between “ela” and “ela é.”
- Ela = she
- Ela é = she is
So, ela alone does not make a complete sentence. You usually need to add a verb, like é or está, to finish the thought.
Other Useful Words Like “She” in Portuguese
Besides “ela,” you may want to learn other pronouns to talk about people:
- Ele = he
- Nós = we
- Eles / Elas = they
- Você / Tu = you
Learning these together will help you build more natural Portuguese sentences and understand conversations better.
The Bottom Line
Learning how to say “she in Portuguese” is simple once you know that “ela” is the word you need. From there, you can expand into “ela é” (she is), “ela está” (she is temporarily), and learn related words like “her” (dela) and “girl” (menina/garota). These basics give you the power to make real sentences and start speaking confidently. The best part is that the word is short, easy, and very common, so you’ll hear it all the time when listening to Portuguese speakers.
With practice, you’ll quickly get comfortable with these small but powerful words. Whether you are traveling, studying, or simply curious, understanding how to say “she” in Portuguese is your first step into a beautiful language full of culture, music, and history.
