Portuguese Phrase
Cresci numa cidade pequena.
Meaning
This phrase describes the speaker's upbringing, indicating they spent their childhood in a small town. The verb 'cresci' is the first-person singular past tense of 'crescer', which means 'to grow'. It implies a sense of origin and personal history.
When to use
Use this phrase when talking about your background or childhood during social introductions. It is perfect for responding to questions about where you are from or what your life was like before moving to a bigger city.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Crescinumacidadepequena
Pretérito Perfeito
'Cresci' is the past tense form of 'crescer', used for completed actions in the past.
Contraction 'numa'
This is a mandatory contraction of the preposition 'em' (in) and the feminine article 'uma' (a).
Gender Agreement
The adjective 'pequena' (small) must be feminine because the noun it modifies, 'cidade' (city/town), is feminine.
🗨In Conversation
Você é daqui de São Paulo?
Are you from here in São Paulo?
Não, cresci numa cidade pequena no interior.
No, I grew up in a small town in the countryside.
✕Common Mistakes
Eu cresceu numa cidade pequena.
The verb must be conjugated in the first person ('cresci') to match the subject 'I'.
Cresci em uma cidade pequeno.
Adjectives must agree in gender with the noun; 'cidade' is feminine, so 'pequena' must be used.
↔Alternatives
Fui criado numa cidade pequena.
I was raised in a small town.
Sou de uma cidadezinha.
I am from a tiny town.
Cultural Tip
In many Lusophone cultures, there is a distinct pride in being from the 'interior' (countryside). Small towns are often associated with traditional values, local festivals, and a 'calm' lifestyle compared to the hustle of metropolitan areas like São Paulo or Lisbon.