What to Learn First: Vocabulary, Verbs, or Grammar?

When you’re just beginning your Portuguese journey, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Do you start memorising words? Learn verb endings? Tackle grammar rules?

Here’s how to approach it in a way that builds confidence and gets results.

🧠 Step 1: Vocabulary First (But Not Any Vocabulary)

You need words to say anything, so yes, vocabulary should come first. But not just random lists.

Start with high-frequency words:

• Greetings and introductions
• Days, numbers, time, and basic questions
• Everyday objects and common verbs

Apps like Memrise or Anki can help you build these with spaced repetition.

Bonus tip: Learn vocabulary in chunks, not just individual words, but phrases like “Tenho fome” (I’m hungry) or “Como te chamas?” (What’s your name?).

🔁 Step 2: Add Verbs in Context

Portuguese verbs are famously complex but don’t panic. At the start, focus on:

• Present tense of ir, estar, ser, ter, and gostar
• Simple regular verb patterns: -ar, -er, -ir
• Common daily actions (e.g. comer, beber, falar, estudar)

Don’t just memorize charts. Instead, see verbs in real sentences, use them in writing, and practise saying them aloud.

🧱 Step 3: Introduce Basic Grammar to Build Structure

Once you’ve got some vocab and verbs, grammar starts to matter.

Start with:

• Gender and articles (um/uma, o/a)
• Simple sentence structure (Subject + Verb + Object)
• Personal pronouns and question words (quem, o quê, onde, etc.)

Keep grammar practical, learn just enough to unlock communication, then revisit and refine over time.

🚀 What Not to Do

• Don’t start with irregular verb tables or passive voice.
• Don’t aim to master all tenses right away.
• Don’t try to learn everything at once. Language learning is layered.

🎯 Final Advice

Start with the words and phrases you’d actually use in your daily life. Build a small, useful core of vocabulary, add basic verbs, and learn just enough grammar to create real sentences.

The rest will grow from there.

Ready to build a solid foundation in European Portuguese? You’re in the right place.