Portuguese Phrase
Eu escovo os dentes.
Meaning
This sentence states a personal habit: 'I brush the teeth.' It uses the simple present to describe a routine action that occurs regularly, usually twice a day.
When to use
Use this phrase when talking about your daily hygiene routine, answering questions about what you do in the morning or before bed, or describing habits in a language‑learning class.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Euescovoosdentes
Eu (subject pronoun)
The personal pronoun 'eu' means 'I' and is often optional in Portuguese because the verb ending already indicates the subject.
escovo (present indicative)
The verb 'escovar' (to brush) conjugated in the first‑person singular present indicative is 'escovo'.
os (definite article)
The plural masculine definite article 'os' is required before a plural masculine noun.
dentes (noun, plural)
'Dentes' means 'teeth' and is a masculine plural noun; it normally appears with the article 'os'.
🗨In Conversation
Você já escovou os dentes?
Have you brushed your teeth yet?
Sim, eu escovo os dentes todos os dias.
Yes, I brush my teeth every day.
✕Common Mistakes
Eu escrevo os dentes.
‘Escrevo’ means ‘I write’, not ‘I brush’. Use ‘escovo’ for brushing.
Eu escovo dentes.
In Portuguese you need the definite article before plural nouns in this context.
Eu escovar os dentes.
Do not use the infinitive after the subject; you need the conjugated form.
↔Alternatives
Eu escovo os meus dentes.
I brush my teeth.
Eu escovo os dentes todas as manhãs.
I brush my teeth every morning.
Estou escovando os dentes agora.
I am brushing my teeth now.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, brushing teeth is considered a basic part of personal hygiene and is usually done after breakfast and before bedtime. The verb 'escovar' is specifically used for brushing teeth, hair, or even a floor. Adding a possessive ('meus') is common in informal speech but not required because 'os dentes' already implies yours in context.