Em Vez de vs. Ao Invés de: How to Say “Instead of” — Practice
A guided practice lesson with English explanations, Brazilian Portuguese examples, and answers you can check. Read the examples, recall the meaning, then say a version of your own.
Use em vez de for substitution
Em vez de means instead of and works for choosing one action or thing in place of another. It is a safe, flexible phrase for most everyday substitutions.
Before a verb, use de plus the infinitive: em vez de sair (instead of going out). Before a noun, keep the complete phrase together.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Vamos caminhar em vez de pegar um táxi. | Let’s walk instead of taking a taxi. |
| Pedi água em vez de refrigerante. | I ordered water instead of soda. |
| Ela escolheu o ônibus em vez do carro. | She chose the bus instead of the car. |
Use ao invés de when you mean the opposite
Ao invés de is traditionally associated with contrast or the opposite direction: subir ao invés de descer (go up instead of down). In everyday speech, some people use it more broadly like em vez de.
If you want to avoid ambiguity in careful writing, choose em vez de for a substitution and reserve ao invés de for an actual opposition.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| O elevador desceu ao invés de subir. | The elevator went down instead of up. |
| A temperatura caiu ao invés de subir. | The temperature fell instead of rising. |
| Ele respondeu ao contrário do que eu esperava. | He answered the opposite of what I expected. |
Notice the contrast in the two choices
Ask whether the second option simply replaces the first or moves in the opposite direction. Em vez de is common when you are making a preference; ao invés de highlights opposition.
For another contrast pattern, review our guide to mas versus mais.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Fiquei em casa em vez de ir ao cinema. | I stayed home instead of going to the movies. |
| A bola rolou para trás ao invés de para a frente. | The ball rolled backward instead of forward. |
| Tomamos café em vez de chá. | We had coffee instead of tea. |
Remember: Use em vez de for a replacement. Use ao invés de when the second choice is the opposite of the first.
Check your understanding
Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.
Recall the Portuguese, then say it
Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.
Let’s walk instead of taking a taxi.
Show a Portuguese answer
Vamos caminhar em vez de pegar um táxi.
I ordered water instead of soda.
Show a Portuguese answer
Pedi água em vez de refrigerante.
She chose the bus instead of the car.
Show a Portuguese answer
Ela escolheu o ônibus em vez do carro.
The elevator went down instead of up.
Show a Portuguese answer
O elevador desceu ao invés de subir.
The temperature fell instead of rising.
Show a Portuguese answer
A temperatura caiu ao invés de subir.
He answered the opposite of what I expected.
Show a Portuguese answer
Ele respondeu ao contrário do que eu esperava.
Make the phrase useful to you
Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.
Use em vez de for a replacement. Use ao invés de when the second choice is the opposite of the first.
Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.
Sources and your next lesson
This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our Em Vez de vs. Ao Invés de: How to Say “Instead of” lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.
To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.
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