Andar - a versatile verb!
  • Dulce1 November 2013
    Andar means to walk, as in eu ando de casa à escola, I walk from my house to school, but it also has other idiomatic usages.
    Andar de bicicleta, trem, ônibus, metrô ou taxi is to ride a bicycle, train, bus or subway.
    You can also use andar with another verb to express continuity:
    Eu ando um pouco cansada. I have been a bit tired lately.
    Sandra anda guardando dinheiro para as férias. Sandra has been saving money for her vacations.
    Andar is also used to say that something works or doesn't work:
    Os relógios antigos só andam quando damos corda. Old watches only work when we wind them. 
    You can also use andar to mean hang out with people:
    Julia e Paulo sempre andam juntos. Julia and Paulo always hang out together.
    Finally, you can use onde anda to ask what's going on with a person or thing.
    Onde anda o seu irmão? Where's your brother been? What has your brother been up to?
    Onde anda você? Where have you been? Is a Brazilian comedy directed by Sergio Rezende. Check it out and practice your Portuguese!
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