Here’s how to say that someone takes after someone else. We use the verb Puxar, which literally means to pull.

• Puxar a alguém = to take after someone

Here are examples:

• Camila adora cozinhar. Ela puxou à mãe. = Camila loves to cook. She takes after her mom.

• Sandrinho canta super bem. Ele puxou ao pai. = Sandrinho is a good singer. He takes after his father.

A little grammar for you

Notice in the examples above that we use the verb Puxar in the past tense to say that people take after someone else.

The “a” in the expression is not an article; it’s a preposition.

• This preposition contracts with the feminine article “a” and becomes “à”.
• When it fuses with the masculine article “o”, it becomes “ao”.

If you don’t like grammar, just keep this in mind:

• If you have a feminine word after the expression, use à: Camila puxou à mãe. = Camila takes after her mom.
• If you have a masculine word after the expression, use ao: João puxou ao pai. = Sandrinho takes after his dad.

To use your new vocabulary correctly you need lots of practice. There’s only so much that apps, books, and videos can do for your Portuguese. You need to have real conversations with real people in order to take your fluency to the next level.

Street Smart Brazil offers one-on-one, live, online Portuguese lessons. Enjoy your own private Brazilian Portuguese tutor and learn Portuguese from wherever you are in the world.

Click here to book a Trial Lesson!