Portuguese Phrase
Minha mãe era professora.
Meaning
This sentence describes a past state or profession of the speaker's mother using the imperfect tense. In Portuguese, the imperfect 'era' is used for continuous or habitual situations in the past, such as a long-term career.
When to use
Use this phrase when sharing biographical information about your family or discussing your mother's career history. It is perfect for introductory conversations about your background or childhood.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Minhamãeeraprofessora
Minha (Possessive)
The feminine possessive adjective matching the feminine noun 'mãe'.
Era (Imperfect Tense)
The third-person singular imperfect form of the verb 'ser', used for ongoing states in the past.
Professora (Nouns)
The feminine form of teacher; professions change ending to -a to match the gender of the subject.
🗨In Conversation
O que sua mãe fazia quando você era criança?
What did your mother do when you were a child?
Minha mãe era professora.
My mother was a teacher.
✕Common Mistakes
Minha mãe era uma professora.
In Portuguese, you don't usually use the indefinite article before a profession unless you are adding an adjective.
Minha mãe foi professora.
While 'foi' is grammatically possible, 'era' is much more common for describing a long-term state or profession in the past.
↔Alternatives
Minha mãe trabalhava como professora.
My mother worked as a teacher.
A profissão da minha mãe era o ensino.
My mother's profession was teaching.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, the profession of a teacher is highly regarded socially, even if the pay varies. When discussing parents' jobs, it is common to follow up with details about the subject they taught or the city where they worked.