Portuguese Phrase
Os profs ensinam os alunos.
Meaning
The sentence states a simple fact: the teachers teach the students. It uses the most common verb for ‘to teach’ (ensinar) and the informal abbreviation ‘profs’ for ‘professores’.
When to use
Use this phrase when describing classroom activities, talking about school routines, or explaining who is responsible for instruction in a school setting.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Osprofsensinamosalunos.
Definite article (Os)
‘Os’ is the masculine plural definite article, used before plural masculine nouns like ‘profs’ and ‘alunos’.
Abbreviation (profs)
‘profs’ is the informal short form of ‘professores’ (teachers). In spoken Portuguese it’s common, but in writing you may prefer the full word.
Verb conjugation (ensinam)
‘ensinam’ is the third‑person plural present indicative of ‘ensinar’ (to teach). It agrees with the plural subject ‘os profs’.
Noun (alunos)
‘alunos’ means ‘students’; it is masculine plural, so it matches the article ‘os’.
🗨In Conversation
Os profs ensinam os alunos todos os dias.
The teachers teach the students every day.
Sim, e eles também dão muitas tarefas de casa.
Yes, and they also give a lot of homework.
✕Common Mistakes
Os profs ensina os alunos.
‘ensina’ is singular; the subject ‘os profs’ is plural, so the verb must be ‘ensinam’.
Os profs ensinam os alunas.
‘alunas’ is feminine; unless the class is all female, keep the masculine plural ‘os alunos’ to match a mixed group.
Profs ensinam os alunos.
When using the abbreviation ‘profs’, keep the article ‘os’ before it; dropping the article sounds unnatural.
↔Alternatives
Os professores ensinam os estudantes.
The teachers teach the students.
Os docentes ensinam os alunos.
The faculty teach the students.
Os professores dão aulas aos alunos.
The teachers give lessons to the students.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, ‘professor’ (or the informal ‘prof’) is used for anyone who teaches, from elementary school to university. When speaking formally or writing, use the full word ‘professores’. Also, note that ‘alunos’ can refer to a mixed‑gender group; if the class is all female, you would say ‘as alunas’.