Environmental Issues
The core Portuguese words for talking about the environment, from pollution to recycling and protecting nature. Learn each noun with its article, then write about an environmental issue in English.
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Talking about the planet
This module gives you the core Portuguese words to talk about the environment. Portuguese nouns come with an article (o, a), which shows the gender, so learn each word with its article. You will learn the key terms, from o ambiente, the environment, to a reciclagem, recycling, then practise recognising them before writing about an environmental issue in English.
Environment, pollution, nature
Learn each Portuguese word with its article and meaning:
Match each word to its meaning
- o ambiente
- a poluição
- a reciclagem
- a natureza
- the environment
- pollution
- recycling
- nature
What a poluição means in Portuguese
What does the Portuguese word a poluição mean in English?
- Pollution
- Recycling
- The environment
- Nature
A word for the exam
As questões ambientais, environmental issues, and being ecológico (or ecológica), ecological, are useful phrases for this topic. Notice the articles: o marks a masculine noun and a marks a feminine one. Learning the article with the word is the reliable way to get the gender right in your writing.
Which are about the environment?
Select the TWO Portuguese words that are about the environment.
- a reciclagem
- a poluição
- o livro
- o bilhete
Nature and actions
Some words name the natural world; others name what we can do to help.
Environment words in Portuguese
The world around us is the _____. Dirty air and water are called _____. Sorting waste so it can be used again is _____. The plants, animals, seas and mountains around us are _____. Large areas of trees are _____.
Spot the environment words
Tap the TWO Portuguese words that are about the environment.
- a reciclagem
- o livro
- a poluição
- o bilhete
- a casa
Choose the right word
Which Portuguese word means 'recycling'?
- a reciclagem
- a poluição
- o ambiente
- o livro
Portuguese merges the preposition with the article
The environment words become sentences with é (is) and porque (because). Portuguese also merges de with the article that follows it: - A reciclagem é importante = "recycling is important". Portuguese keeps a in front of reciclagem where English drops it, and é links the two halves. - Gosto da natureza porque é bonita = "I like nature because it is beautiful". gostar takes de, and de + a merges into da. porque then joins the reason, which is what lifts the mark.
de and a merge into one word
de and a merge into one word. Which of these says "I like nature because it is beautiful"?
- Gosto da natureza porque é bonita
- Gosto de a natureza porque é bonita
- Gosto da natureza
- A reciclagem é importante
Writing about the environment
You can now recognise the key words. In the exam you might write about an environmental issue, and you can weave these terms in. A strong answer names a problem (such as a poluição, pollution) and a solution (such as a reciclagem, recycling, or protecting a natureza, nature).
Help the environment
Three ways to help the environment. Choose the best action each time.
- You want to reduce a poluição (pollution) in your city. What helps?
- You want to practise a reciclagem (recycling) at home. What should you do?
- You want to protect a natureza (nature) near your town. What fits?
Write about an issue, in Portuguese
Name the issue and an action IN PORTUGUESE, then add ONE sentence in English saying why it matters. Keep each noun with its article.
- Name the issue: a poluição (pollution)
- Name what it affects: o ambiente (the environment) or a natureza (nature)
- Name an action: a reciclagem (recycling)
- Then, in English only, say why this issue matters