1

In casual speach I often, if not always, hear that "não + verb" pronounced as "no + verb". For instance, "não fui" I hear as "[no] fui", which is "no" as it's pronounced in Spanish.

Why? Or is it how it appears to me? Or is how it's supposed to be pronounced, and is used in the normal speach too?

Improve this question
9
  • 3
    Could you say where you've heard it? It is possible that you heard the informal pronunciation num of não.
    – Schilive
    Commented Oct 29, 2021 at 19:52
  • @Schilive I didn't hear "num", I hear "[no]". I'm a newbie in Portuguese, also
    – Koharim67
    Commented Oct 29, 2021 at 23:09
  • Koharim67, so you heard like English no, but without the w in the end? I asked where because, maybe, some Brazilians from the South do it, or it may be some archaism from some Portugal region, or it may be Spanish influence. The theory for the reason is very dependent on where you heard it.
    – Schilive
    Commented Oct 29, 2021 at 23:41
  • 3
    The way it's described, this pronunciation doesn't seem usual at all. I also think it's important to know where you're hearing it from to be able to answer the question.
    – stafusa ♦
    Commented Oct 29, 2021 at 23:59
  • 1
    Koharim, where do you hear it? Is it from Brazilians, Portuguese, Angolans?
    – Jacinto
    Commented Oct 31, 2021 at 7:17

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

Short Answer:

The standard pronunciation for the word "não" follows its spelling exactly as would be expected. In relaxed pronunciation or when we are speaking a little quicker, especially when it's followed by a verb, however, it often becomes "num", just as in "eu num fui" or "eu num sei". Sometimes, "num" may be even shortened to "nu" but I never heard it changed into "no".

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.