Conjunction OU (or)

Think of ou as a bridge. It connects two or more possibilities. You can use it to link single words. For example: café ou chá (coffee or tea). You can also use it to link entire actions. For example: Eu estudo ou eu durmo (I study or I sleep). In most cases, it works exactly like it does in English. You put it right between the things you are choosing from. It does not change based on gender. It does not change based on number. It stays ou no matter what. It is like that one reliable friend who never changes their outfit.

1. 1Using ou follows a very logical path. Here is how you build a sentence with it:
2. 2Start with your first option or idea.
3. 3Place the word ou immediately after it.
4. 4Add your second option or idea right after.
5. 5If you have more options, use commas for the first ones.
6. 6Place the ou only before the last option.
7. 7Example: Você quer água, suco ou cerveja? (Do you want water, juice, or beer?).
8. 8There is also a special "double" pattern for emphasis. You can say ou... ou... which means "either... or...".
9. 9Example: Ou você estuda, ou você trabalha (Either you study, or you work). This makes the choice feel more urgent or exclusive. It is the grammar version of a parent giving you an ultimatum. Use it when you want to show that only one option is possible.

You will use ou in almost every conversation. Here are some classic real-world scenarios:

• Ordering Food: Pizza ou pasta? (Pizza or pasta?). This is the most common use.
• Asking for Directions: É à esquerda ou à direita? (Is it to the left or to the right?). Very helpful so you don't get lost!
• Making Plans: Sábado ou domingo? (Saturday or Sunday?).
• Job Interviews: Você prefere trabalhar sozinho ou em equipe? (Do you prefer to work alone or in a team?).
• Clarification: Você disse dez ou vinte? (Did you say ten or twenty?).

Sometimes ou is inclusive. This means you could potentially have both. For example: Você gosta de música ou filmes? (Do you like music or movies?). You probably like both! Other times, it is exclusive. You can only pick one. Like when a waiter asks: Dinheiro ou cartão? (Cash or card?). You usually can't pay with both at the same time.

Do not use ou when you want to combine things. That is the job for e (and). If you want both coffee and cake, don't say ou. You will end up very sad with only one item.

Also, do not use ou to show contrast. If you want to say "but", use mas. For example: "I want to go, but I am tired." In Portuguese, that is Eu quero ir, mas estou cansado. Using ou here would make no sense.

Lastly, avoid using ou when you are offering a polite "either way" response. In English, we say "Either one is fine." In Portuguese, we often use tanto faz instead of a sentence with ou.

One big mistake for Spanish speakers is using "u". In Spanish, "or" becomes "u" before words starting with "o". In Portuguese, this rule does not exist! We always use ou. Even if the next word is outubro (October). Just say Setembro ou Outubro. It might feel a bit clunky at first, but it is correct.

Another mistake is forgetting the second ou in the "either... or" pattern. If you want to be dramatic, you need both! Ou agora, ou nunca (Either now, or never). If you just say Agora ou nunca, it is fine, but it lacks that spicy emphasis.

Native speakers sometimes mumble ou so fast it sounds like a tiny "ô". Don't let that confuse you. It is still the same word. Just keep your ears open for that short sound. Also, don't confuse ou with ouça (listen). They sound different, but beginners sometimes mix them up in fast speech.

Let’s compare ou with its cousins.

• ou vs e: ou is for choices. e is for additions. Café ou chá (One or the other). Café e chá (Both, please!).
• ou vs mas: ou is a fork in the road. mas is a bump in the road. Vou ou fico? (Should I go or stay?). Vou, mas volto (I am going, but I'll be back).
• ou vs quer... quer...: This is a more formal way to say "whether... or...". You won't hear it much at the beach, but you might see it in a book. Stick to ou for now. It is much more natural for daily life.