Muito ou Muita?

 

If there’s a word we use very often (muitas vezes) it’s the word “muito”. But the question is: when do we use “muito” and when do we use “muita”, or even when do we use “muitos” or “muitas”? That’s right, we have four possibilities for this word (as usual in Portuguese…). So let’s have a look at this very useful word (esta palavra muito útil).

The problem is that “Muito” can be an adverb or an adjective, depending on what we want to say. Confused? Let’s make it simple. When, in English you say “VERY” (adverb) the Portuguese translation is “MUITO”.

Examples:

• Very well (Muito bem)
• Very good (Muito bom)
• Very fast (Muito rápido)
• Very simple (Muito simples)

When, in English, you say “MANY”, “MUCH” or “A LOT”, (adjective) in Portuguese we have four possibilities: MUITO / MUITA / MUITOS / MUITAS, depending on the next word.

 Examples:

• I have a lot of money. (Tenho muito dinheiro) – “dinheiro” is a masculine and singular word and that’s why we use “muito”;
• There’s a lot of poverty in the world. (Há muita pobreza no mundo) – “pobreza” is a feminine and singular word and that’s why we use “muita”.
• There are many supermarkets in Portugal. (Há muitos supermercados em Portugal)  – “supermercados” is a masculine and plural word and that’s why we use “muitos”
• I have many questions. (Tenho muitas perguntas) – “perguntas” is a feminine and plural word and that’s why we use “muitas”.

Another important thing about this word is the pronunciation. We have to do a nasal sound in the first syllable, something like is the word was “MUINTO”, don’t forget that!