Airi Start free

Common English mistakes Brazilian speakers make, and how to fix them

If your first language is Brazilian Portuguese, your English mistakes follow Portuguese grammar, sounds, and a dangerous set of false friends. They're transfer, not carelessness — and each one has a clear fix.

The big ones. 1) "I have 30 years" (tenho 30 anos) → "I'm 30". 2) "Has many people" (tem muita gente) → "There are many people". 3) "The" for general ideas and names: "the life is short", "the Maria said" → "life is short", "Maria said". 4) Dropped subjects: "Is raining" → "It's raining". 5) "Since" for "for" (há): "I work here since two years" → "for two years". 6) False friends: "pretend" (pretender = intend), "push" (puxe = pull!), "parents" (parentes = relatives), "library" (livraria = bookstore), "assist" (assistir = watch), "actually" (atualmente = currently), "exquisite" (esquisito = weird), "college" (colégio = high school). 7) Double negatives: "I don't know nothing" → "anything". 8) "Explain me" → "explain to me"; "married with" → "married to". 9) Extra vowels: "Facebook-ee", "worked-ee", "istudent" — end on the consonant. 10) Sounds: "th" as /t/, /d/ or /f/ ("tink", "fink"), final /l/ as /w/ ("Brazil" → "Braziw", "will" → "wiw"), "t/d" before "i" as "tch/dj" ("tchip" for "tip"), and a dropped "h" ("I 'ave").

A list won't fix these; making them out loud and being corrected in the moment will. Airi is built for that: she hears the pattern, fixes the one mistake that matters in her reply, and keeps the conversation going. Speak with her daily and these stop being habits within a few weeks. Free to start, no card.

A quick example with Airi

I have 32 years and I pretend to move to Canada, has many opportunities there.

Three Brazilian-to-English classics! Try: "I'm 32 and I intend to move to Canada — there are a lot of opportunities there."

I'm 32 and I intend to move to Canada, there are a lot of opportunities there.

Perfect. Now say 'will' for me — keep the 'l' with your tongue up, not 'wiw'.

How to get the most from it

Age uses 'be'

I'm 32. I'm hungry. I'm cold. Never 'have'.

'There is/are', not 'has'

Tem gente → There are people.

Watch the false friends

Pretend, push, parents, library — ask Airi when in doubt.

Start speaking today

Your first 300 credits are free — no credit card. Sign in and have your first conversation with Airi.

Start free with Google

Frequently asked questions

Why do Brazilians say 'I have 30 years'?

Because Portuguese uses 'ter' (have) for age. English uses 'be'. It's transfer, and daily out-loud practice fixes it.

What's the most dangerous false friend?

'Push' — puxe means pull. Also 'pretend' (intend) and 'assist' (watch). Airi flags them when they slip in.

Is Airi available in Brazil?

Yes — it works worldwide on phone or laptop. Free to start with 300 credits, no card.

More ways to practise

Practice English for a job interview IELTS Speaking practice with an AI partner Practice English for business meetings Practice English for travel Everyday English conversation practice Practice English presentations English for customer service and support Practice English phone calls English speaking practice for beginners Practice English pronunciation and fluency TOEFL Speaking practice with an AI partner Practise introducing yourself in English Practise English small talk English for nurses and healthcare workers Speak English more clearly Practise English for a cabin crew interview Practise English for a study abroad interview Practise English for software developers Practise English for sales calls and pitches Practise English group discussions English for hotel and restaurant staff PTE Speaking practice with an AI partner Cambridge English speaking practice (B2 & C1)Practise English for negotiations and salary talks Duolingo English Test speaking practice OET speaking practice for nurses and doctors Practise English for freelance client calls Practise English for a visa interview Practise classroom English for teachers Practise English for tour guides and travel staff Practise English for video calls Practise your startup pitch in English Everyday English for living abroad Practise technical English for engineers Practise English for your performance review Practise English for networking events Airport and immigration English practice Practise making friends in English Practise English for YouTube, podcasts and livestreams The best AI to practice English speaking How to practice English speaking online for free Talk to an AI in English AI English tutor vs a grammar app How to improve your English speaking skills How to overcome the fear of speaking English How to think in English How to become fluent in English How to practise English speaking alone Why you can't speak English even though you understand it Is ChatGPT good for learning English speaking?How to create English immersion at home How to respond faster in English conversations How long does it take to learn to speak English?English shadowing: how to speak more naturally How to sound more natural when you speak English What is an AI English speaking partner, and does it work?English speaking practice for introverts and shy learners English speaking practice for busy professionals English listening practice through real conversation An affordable alternative to a private English tutor 10 common spoken English mistakes, and how to fix them English speaking practice online: the options compared Active vs passive vocabulary: why you know words but can't use them 30 English conversation starters, and how to practise them How to practise English with AI: a practical guide English filler words: sound natural while you think How to answer "tell me about yourself" in English Common English mistakes Indonesian speakers make, and how to fix them How to talk about your job in English, with examples British vs American English: which should you learn to speak?Common English mistakes Spanish speakers make, and how to fix them Common English mistakes Vietnamese speakers make, and how to fix them Common English mistakes Japanese speakers make, and how to fix them Common English mistakes Korean speakers make, and how to fix them Common English mistakes Thai speakers make, and how to fix them Common English mistakes Arabic speakers make, and how to fix them Common English mistakes Chinese speakers make, and how to fix them Common English mistakes Hindi speakers make, and how to fix them for a global audience Common English mistakes Turkish speakers make, and how to fix them Common English mistakes French speakers make, and how to fix them Common English mistakes Russian speakers make, and how to fix them Common English mistakes German speakers make, and how to fix them Common English mistakes Italian speakers make, and how to fix them Common English mistakes Polish speakers make, and how to fix them Common English mistakes Filipino speakers make, and how to fix them for a global audience Common English mistakes Malay speakers make, and how to fix them for a global audience Common English mistakes Persian speakers make, and how to fix them Common English mistakes Bengali speakers make, and how to fix them Common English mistakes Urdu speakers make, and how to fix them Common English mistakes Swahili speakers make, and how to fix them Common English mistakes Ukrainian speakers make, and how to fix them Common English mistakes Dutch speakers make, and how to fix them Common English mistakes Greek speakers make, and how to fix them Common English mistakes Tamil speakers make, and how to fix them Common English mistakes Nepali speakers make, and how to fix them Common English mistakes Burmese speakers make, and how to fix them Common English mistakes Khmer speakers make, and how to fix them Common English mistakes Sinhala speakers make, and how to fix them Common English mistakes Nigerian speakers make, and how to fix them for a global audience