Portuguese Phrase
Primeiro, vou falar...
Meaning
The speaker is signalling that the first thing they will address is speaking, often used to introduce a point in a presentation, meeting, or conversation. It sets a clear order for the upcoming ideas.
When to use
Use this phrase at the start of a structured talk, a classroom lesson, a business meeting, or any situation where you need to outline the order of your points. It works well both in formal and informal contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Primeiro,voufalar...
Primeiro (adverb)
Used to indicate the first point in a sequence; it functions as an adverb meaning 'first' or 'to begin with'.
vou + infinitive (future periphrastic)
The construction 'vou' (first person singular of ir) + infinitive expresses a near future action, similar to 'I am going to...'.
Ellipsis (...)
Three dots signal that the speaker will continue, inviting the listener to expect more information.
🗨In Conversation
Primeiro, vou falar sobre os resultados do último trimestre.
First, I will talk about the results of the last quarter.
Depois, podemos discutir as metas para o próximo semestre.
After that, we can discuss the goals for the next semester.
✕Common Mistakes
Primeira, vou falar...
‘Primeira’ is the feminine form and does not work as an adverb here; use ‘Primeiro’.
Primeiro, vou falará...
Mixing the periphrastic future with a conjugated verb is incorrect; keep the infinitive after ‘vou’.
Primeiro, vou falar...
In very formal writing you might prefer the simple future ‘falarei’, but in spoken Portuguese the periphrastic form is natural.
↔Alternatives
Em primeiro lugar, vou dizer...
In the first place, I will say...
Antes de tudo, falarei...
Before anything else, I will speak...
Para começar, vou falar...
To start, I will speak...
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian Portuguese, speakers often use 'Primeiro' to structure speeches, similar to English 'First' or 'Firstly'. It is perfectly acceptable in both formal presentations and casual conversations. In Portugal, you might hear 'Primeiro de tudo' more frequently, but the meaning remains the same.