How to Say 'Next' in Portuguese: Context and Usage

When saying 'next' in Portuguese, the context is crucial. This term can vary depending on whether you are referring to immediate proximity, scheduling, or sequence in a list or queue. Understanding these differences can make a big difference in communication in Portuguese-speaking regions, especially in Brazil and Portugal.

Next in a Line or Sequence

In a barber shop or any line without a number system, the word for 'next' is simply 'Proximo!'

When referring to the next point in a sequence or list, you might hear 'A seguinte,' meaning 'following and continuing the list begun before.'

Next Week or Next Month

To indicate 'next week' or 'next month,' common phrases in Portuguese are 'Na semana que vem' and 'No mês que vem,' respectively.

Practical Usage

When you say 'next' in the sense of being close to a place or object, the word to use is 'Próximo.' For example, 'I am next to the coffee shop' translates to 'Eu estou próximo à cafeteria.'

When referring to someone or something in line, the term 'Próximo' is used, but it is typically followed by either 'de,' 'do,' or 'da,' depending on the gender of the noun that follows.

Examples:

Eu moro Próximo a minha escola (If the school is feminine). A próxima pessoa na fila por favor (Please, next person in the queue).

Other Related Terms

There are many other Portuguese words related to 'next,' each with its own specific usage. Here are a few:

Posterior: Refers to something that comes after in time or position. Próximo: Close to, next to, or immediately following in time or place. Consecutivo: Refers to something that comes one after another in an orderly sequence. Consequente: Something that follows as a result or effect. Decorrente: Something that results from a previous event or action. Futuro: Related to the future. Segundo: Indicates the second item in a sequence. Sequente(a): Followed by, succeeding. Subsequente(a): Following in time or sequence. Ulterior(a): More distant in time or space. Acercado(a): Neighboring, close, or coming closer. Adjacente(a): Next to, adjoining. Adjunto(a): Attached, supplementary. Chegado(a): Arrived, arrived at. Circunvizinho(a): Near, adjoining in a circular pattern. Confinante(a): Sharing a common border or bordering. Contíguo(a): Sharing a border, adjacent. Fronteiro(a): On the border, bordering, adjoinable. Imediato(a): Adjacent, next to. Iminente(a): Looming, impending, imminent. Junto(a): Side by side, along with; close to.

Practical Examples and Translations

To say 'see you next time' in Portuguese, you can use 'A gente se vê à próxima vez.'

To call the person next in line, simply shout 'Próximo!' and the next person will step forward.

To say 'lives next to school,' the phrase would be, 'Eu moro próximo à escola.' Since 'escola' is feminine, use 'à'

To say 'you will be next, and then I will go,' the phrase is 'Você será o próximo a próxima, depois eu vou.'

To ask someone to sit next to you, you would say, 'Sente-se ao meu lado.'

For care and concern, 'Aguarde, Marcelo' can be used, meaning 'Wait, Marcelo.'

Conclusion

Remember, mastering the use of 'next' in Portuguese can help you communicate more effectively in a Portuguese-speaking environment, whether it's a social interaction or a professional one. Using the right words and phrases in the appropriate context will make your interactions smoother and more natural.