Grammar questions

Re: Verb tables - Message sent by Johan on May 24, 2010

Q. I like your website, lots of interesting things to look at and learn. But I am puzzled by the difference between Brazilian and European verb tables . The singular and plural 'you' seem to have disappeared? You just have four entries for each verb tense in your verb tables but my grammar book has six? or even eight if you separate tu/voce and vos/voces. What is the difference exactly? For example: In English (Brazilian) I (Eu), you singular (tu/voce) , he/she/it (ele/ela) , we (nos) , you plural (vos/voces) , they (eles/elas) . All the best , David

A. I use only the pronouns and forms that we use in Brazil. "Tu" is rarely used in Brazil and "vó" is old-fashioned and not used anymore. 

Re: Cuba - Message sent by Johan on Mar 18, 2010

Q. I already bought the CD-rom and the grammar book (which I like very much). Cuba is neither masculine nor feminine. How do you translate then the last sentence in a text like: Cuba is an island. Cuba became independent in ... It (Ele o Ela?) has ... inhabitants. Best regards, Johan

A. You just say Cuba. Ex: Cuba é uma ilha. Cuba se tornou independente... You don't have to use "ele/ela" in the same way you say O Brasil ... A Bélgica....

Re: lhe - Message sent by Doug on Feb 17, 2010

Q. I have been working in Brasil for 3 years, and studying portugues for that time as well - only on my own. Please help me understand this phrase "Porque lhe vi olhando pra mim com um sorriso encantador," I believe it is: "Because I saw you looking at me, with an enchanting smile" The main problem is "lhe". I read and studied your site, the use of it. (The best I have seen). And I have spoken about it with my brasileiro friends here, I just can not get my head around it and how to use it. Can you please help clear this up for me, and help me understand this pronoun better? Muito obrigado! Abracos, Doug

A. lhe = para você/ele/ela (to/for you/him/her). The use of "lhe" in this sentence is wrong. It should be "te" (you) or "o" (you/him). You can find a lesson on the use of "lhe/te" and "te/o/a", called "direct/indirect object pronouns" in Portuguese) in my CD-ROM course (lesson 18/19) as well a very detailed explanation in my grammar book (page 71-72). 

Re: poder - Message sent by Glen on Nov 21, 2009

Q. Thanks a lot for your site, I'm very happy I've found it. Your explanations on confusing words have helped me immensely!! The best wording I've seen so far from any online site.However I'd like to see another added the list. Poder and Conseguir.

I understand they are individual meanings, but the usuage can be confusing for us learners. I hear conseguir used where i would never use´to get´in English. I often make the mistake of using poder where native speakers use conserguir. I understand conseguir can take on the be able to´meaning of poder (more or less), I just haven't quite reached the point of confidence in where to use it.  A few examples would be much appreciated. Thanks for your time. Much love from Brazil! Glen

A. You can find examples on my website: http://www.sonia-portuguese.com/text/confusedwords.htm#SABER%20-%20PODER  and many more examples and lots of exercises in my CD-ROM course. My materials can help you understand the whys and you can make progress more quickly if are already living in Brazil. 

Q. Great thank you!! I didnt notice your example previously. Can you please give me some more? Particularly of conseguir and its uses?? Is it ever interchangeable with poder?? I am especially needing examples of its "can" or "manage to" uses. For example, when someone is on a bus and wanting to look out the window, but there are people in the way. Is it correct to say eu nao consigo ver! What is the feeling of the meaning for you in English? Simply I cant see? Or im not getting to see? Or I can't manage to see? And in the past.. eu nao consegui? Is I couldn't see or I didnt see?...haha all of the above?? I'm still struggling with it clicking in my mind. It's always a problem with translating from one language to another.

A. You are right. Just translate the sentence within a context and you will understand it. You can find more examples and lots of exercises with poder/conseguir in my CD-ROM course. If you are serious about learning Portuguese, I suggest that you buy it as well as my grammar book because one material complements the other. My materials will help you understand lots of things that others books/materials usually don't explain. 

Re: já & que - Message sent by David on Sept 8, 2009

Q. I have been studying Portuguese for about a year or so and still trying to get my head around the language. I would like to know what 'ja' means I heard this a lot when I was in Brazil. Secondly, the word 'que' I find quite confusing. Does it have many meanings? I hope you can help, David Dhannoo set 8

A. "já" means already, immediately, yet, etc. depending on context. "que" has also different meanings (what, that, which, etc.) depending on context. 

Re: teve & tinha - Message sent by Andrew on Sep 22, 2009

Q. Qual é a diferença de teve e tinha? OK, eu sei que são tempos verbais diferentes, mas nas seguintes frases: 1) Ela saiu porque ela teve de buscar as crianças dela. 2) Ela saiu porque ela tinha de buscar as crianças dela. 1) Eu tive de sair porque tive de fazer as compras. 2) Eu tinha de sair porque tive de fazer as compras. 3) Eu tinha de sair porque eu tinha de fazer as compras. Desde agora obrigado, Andrew

A. Dependendo da sentença não tem (muita) diferença em inglês, mas normalmente tem em português. São poucos os exemplos onde não tem diferença de sentido em português. Você mesmo fez essas sentenças ou você encontrou essas sentenças em algum lugar? Dê uma olhada nas páginas 116 e 117 do meu livro de gramática (Portuguese Grammar), no meu curso em CD-ROM (lição 14, 17 e 20) e também na minha resposta abaixo. Tente ver a sentença sempre dentro de um contexto para você poder entender melhor. Por que ela foi embora/saiu? 1) Ela saiu porque ela tem que buscar as crianças. (She left because she has to pick up her kids = present - she still has to do it) 2) Ela saiu porque ela teve que buscar as crianças. (She left because she had to pick up her kids = past (perfeito) - action happened in the past and also concluded in a point/definite time in the past) 3) Ela saiu porque ela tinha que buscar as crianças. (She left because she had/was supposed to pick up her kids (past (imperfeito) - action also happened in the past and probably concluded within a period of time in the past). 1) Eu tive de sair porque tive que fazer compras. (I had to go (out) because I had to go shopping) 2) Eu tive de sair porque tinha que fazer compras. (I had to go (out) because I had/was supposed to go shopping) 3) Eu tinha de sair porque tive de fazer as compras. (This is not correct and I would not use it). Hope it's clear now.

Re: verb conjugator for blackberry - Message posted by Sonia on June 16, 2009

M. Richard developed a verb conjugator that can be carried around on a blackberry. It's a useful tool and available for download on his website: http://penguinroot.netau.net/ 

Re: beber & tomar - Message sent by Greg (Alberta, CAN) on March 27, 2009

Q. Why do we say “bebendo leite” but “tomando café”?

A. "tomar" and "beber" (to drink) are interchangeable, except when used in the expression "tomar café" (to have breakfast). 

Re: "dispor-se" - Message sent by USA) on Mar 18, 2009

Q. I found your wonderful web site and I wonder if I can ask you a question. I am an American who has been studying Portuguese on and off for about 5 years. I read Portuguese quite well, much better than I speak it. I love your language. I visit Brazil every year to visit dear friends, and I feel that Brazil is a second home. I am a writer who specializes in Brazilian history and culture. My articles are written in English. Most of my research is in Portuguese. I came across something that puzzles me. ".... que os reis de Portugal cediam aos sesmeiros que se dispusessem a cultiva-la". I understand everything. However the verb "se dispusessem" puzzles me a bit. I think it is the subjunctive of the verb "dispor-se", but I am not sure.   Am I right? I didn't  find the verb "dispor-se" in my Portuguese verb book, so I couldn't confirm this. Perhaps it is a different verb? Thank you very much, and I appreciate any help you can give me with this. Very truly yours, Rita

A. You are right. This is the subjunctive of the verb "dispor-se". You can find a detailed explanation and lessons about the use of the subjunctive mood (including imperfect subjunctive) in my grammar book and CD-ROM course. 

Re: "sabia/soube, era/foi, fazia/fez"- Message sent by Dorothy on Mar 7, 2009

Q. It's been almost a month since I arrived in Sao Paulo. I have been revising the Portuguese lessons and am unclear about the difference between simple past tense and past imperfect (lesson 20). For example: a) "Voce sabia que a Maria esta doente?" Is it the same as "Voce soube que a Maria esta doente?", b) What is the difference in the use of 'era' compared to 'foi'? Is this sentence correct?: "Ja foi tres horas quando a gente saiu de casa." c) "Ja fazia um tempao que a gente nao se via." I Obrigada. Beijos, Dorothy

A. Here are the answers to your questions: a b) Same here: Seldom "era" and "foi" are interchangeable. Past of (time) "são 3 horas" is "eram 3 horas". "Foi" is usually used in these sentences: "O filme foi legal/bom." c) Past of "Já faz um tempão que a gente não se vê" (we still haven't seen each other) is "Já fazia um tempão que a gente não se via" (we have seen each other today) is different from "Ontem fez um mês que eu cheguei no Brasil." I hope it's clear now. You can compare lesson 3 with 20 (são/era), 11, 17 with 20 (faz/fazia + fez) and 17 with 20 (soube/sabia).

Re: "pra/para" - Message sent by Luis on Feb 23, 2009

Q. Can you please explain the difference and usage of pra and para? For example in Marisa Monte's song Meu Canário: Quando é noite de lua, eu saio pra rua para meditar . Is pra an abreviation? Thanks, Luis.

A. "Pra" is an abbreviation of "para" or "para a". It's frequently used in speech. 

Re: basic Portuguese chat short-cuts - Message sent by Ryan on Feb 14, 2009

Q. Can you or anyone else list some of the basic Portuguese chat short-cuts. For example, kz-casa, vc-voce... etc. This would be a great help for me. Thanks, Ryan

A. Here are some common abbreviations: tb (também), vc (você), qdo (quando) p/ (para), c/ (com), s/ (sem), d (de) bjs (beijos), td (tudo), nd (nada), qq coisa (qualquer coisa), lig (ligue), n. (número), tel. (telefone), etc.

Re:  verb tenses - Message sent by Mateus on Feb 12, 2009

Q. What verb tenses should I learn at first, I don't want to have to learn all of them at once. So I decided that I should learn a few at a time! Até Logo! Mateus

A. You should learn the basic tenses first (present, present/past continuous, simple/imperfect past and simple future). You can find all tenses (one by one, a detailed explanation followed by many examples and exercises) in my grammar book and CD-ROM course. If you use my materials, you will save a lot of time and you will learn properly and beyond the basics from the start. 

Re: "por/para" - Message sent by Doug on Jan 26, 2009

Q. I am in Lisbon and am studying Portuguese. I am American and speak only English so you can imagine what a challenge I am facing! I am studying conjunctions and am wondering what is the word in Portuguese for the conjunction 'for'. I know that para and por are prepositions but I am not clear if 'por' is also a conjunction and is used (pela) below. We have tickets for the symphony and the opera. Thanks for your intellect and assistance. Doug 

A. "por" and "para" are easily confused.  You can find a short explanation about the difference between "por" and "para" on my website: http://www.sonia-portuguese.com/text/confusedwords.htm#PARA%20-%20POR

Re: "obrigado/obrigada" - Message sent by Deon on Nov 17, 2008

Q. I am not sure how to use obrigado and obrigada. Do I always use obrigado because I am a male or do I say obrigado because the person I am speaking to is a male. And the same aplies to using: este e meu ... and  esta e minha... Thank you , Deon

A. You use "obrigado" because you are man. The same rule doesn't apply for "Este é meu pai" (This is my father) and "Esta é minha mãe" (This is my mother). 

Re: "pronouns tu and vós" - Message sent by Matthew on Nov 12/19, 2008

Q. Your web-site is most helpful. I was wondering if the pronouns tu and vós, along with all of their conjugations, are still in use today. If not, is it worth having to learn how to conjugate them? And what are some English equivalents of Portuguese nasal vowel sounds? Examples: ã, õ, em, on, etc.? Muito obrigado! Até logo. Matthew

A. "Tu"  is used only in some parts of Brazil and "vós" is not in use today. You don't need to learn them. Use "você/vocês" instead. There is no equivalent nasal sound in English. Just try to repeat nasal sounds without thinking too much and your pronunciation will be fine. 

Q. So do I need to use the object pronouns te, and vos? And also the prepositional equivalents? Até logo.

A. "Te" is frequently used in speech. Take a look at the grammar section (Pronouns) available on my website. 

Re: "comigo" - Message sent by Keith on Aug 28, 2008

Q. I'm studying Brazilian Portuguese before going to Salvador in September. I've heard about regional differences in usage. So please help me: I understand that people don't usually use "comigo" in Salvador. If MY grammar says "Voce pode deixar o seu terno comigo" then how would you say the same thing WITHOUT using "comigo"? How about "conosco"? Keith

A. There is no other word for "comigo". Maybe you are confusing it with " conosco", which is usually replaced by "com a gente" in speech. You don't have to worry about regional accents/differences. In context, you will always understand what is meant. 

Re: obrigado/obrigada - Message sent by Paul on August 9, 2008

Q. I am Portuguese and speak it fluently but need help with the word obrigado/obrigada. Regards, Paul

A. A man always says obrigado and and a woman always says obrigada.

Re: façofaça - Message sent by Martin on Mai 17, 2008

Q. Eu passei por os 5 testes, o pior resultado fui no teste 4, no qual só acertei 67%.  Eu tenho uma questão sobre os testes. Sobre a resposta no teste 4, pergunta 14, eu tenho quasi certeza que a resposta deve ser “faço” em vez de “faça”. Mas como Holandés eu posso estar errado. Gostaria de receber sua explicação. Um abraço da Holanda, Martin

A. A resposta correta é faça. O que o senhor quer que eu faça primeiro? O verbo “querer + que” exige o presente do subjuntivo. No meu livro de gramática e no meu curso em CD-ROM você encontra explicação detalhada sobre o uso do subjuntivo (tense for advanced students) e muitos exercíicios interativos. 

Re: tudo bem - Message sent by Richard on April 29, 2008

Q. Sou americano e eu gosto de aprender os idiomas como voce. O seu site e legal porque e bem util e nao custa nada. Muito obrigado por isso. Eu tenho uma pergunta tb. O que e a diferenca entre tudo bem e tudo bom? Entao, obrigado mais uma vez, Richard

A. As duas formas são usadas no dia-a-dia. "Tudo bem" (bem = well) é a forma correta correta. "Bem" (well) é advérbio e "bom" (good) é adjetivo. 

Re: "I", "You", "We" - Message sent by Ryan on April 26, 2008

Q. I have been leaning Portuguese for a few months. You have a wonderful site that has helped me greatly. I have one question about your "verb" page. As you conjugate the verbs for "falar, beber y assistir" I don't see it indicated anywhere what it means in English "I", "You", "We" . Is there a reason you chose not to? I just thought I'd point it out, in case it might have been over looked. Thanks again for helping me. Best, Ryan

A. You can find the subject pronouns under pronouns, subject pronouns. The verb section available on my website is not as detailed and complete as the verb section available my grammar book and CD-ROM course.   

Re: "tou" - Message sent by Mike (Milwaukee, WI, USA) on April 10, 2008

Q. Could you comment on a word: tou as in "tou sem relogio" I know it means something like "I don't have my watch" but I can't figure out the tou part. Is it a contraction? Obrigado, Mike

A. "tou" or "to" is the short form for "estou". It's frequently used in speech.

Re: preciso & tenho que - Message sent by Piet on March 16, 2008

Q. I wrote here in your example lesson that you translate eu preciso by I have to, but should'nt it be I need to? I have to is translated in portuguese by Eu tenho que or am I wrong? Kind regards, Piet

A. "preciso trabalhar" and "tenho que trabalhar" have the same meaning in this sentence and they are interchangeable.

Re: "you' forms of the verb conjugations" - Message sent by Andrew on Feb 9, 2008

Q. Thanks for the clear grammar, but I wanted to know why you are not including the 'you' forms of the verb conjugations. There appear to be only eu, ele, nos, and eles conjugations. Am i missing something? Andrew

A. The grammar section available on my website is only a brief introduction to my Portuguese Grammar book, which is illustrated and much more complete and detailed than the website. If you are learning Portuguese as a second language and need a complete, concise and practical reference, you can order my Portuguese Grammar book, which is ideal if used in conjunction with my Portuguese Course because it complements it. As for your question, I include the you (você/s) forms in the conjugation and they are the same as for "ele/s, ela/s." Take also a look at the Pronouns, Subject pronouns available on my website. Note: I don't include "tu" (rarely used in Brazil) and "vós" (old-fashioned) in my book and course. 

Re: "farão & fizer" - Message sent by Oscar (Angola) on Jan 28, 2008

Q. Hoje quando li o jornal de Angola, me encontrei uma palavra farão... procurei no dicionário e sabia que é forma de fut imperf de fazer, mas tambem vi mas uma forma desta palavra de fut imperf....são seguintes fazer- farei-farás-fará-faremos-fareis-farão, fizer-fizeres-fizer-fizermos-fizerdes-fizerem. Porque uma palavra tem duas formas de fut imperf....coloquei no livro de gramatica só consequi a segunda forma de mesma...mas a primeira parece está usada normalmente no jornal....então estou muito confusado por isso... seja muito grato se possa me explicar sobre isso... vosso Oscar

A. "Farão" (formal) = "vão fazer" (informal) é a forma do verbo fazer, conjugada no futuro do indicativo. "Fizer" é a forma do verbo fazer conjugada no futuro do subjuntivo. Você encontra explicação detalhada sobre o uso do futuro do indicativo e do subjuntivo no meu livro de gramática (página 120, 133 e 154) e no meu curso em CD-ROM (lição 10 e 42).

Re: "era, esteve, estava" - Message sent by Lady J on December 4, 2007

Q. I am having trouble understanding how and when to use the various forms of the the verb estar. Specifically, the following words throw me off: era, esteve, estava. If I am reading a passage, I will understand what the word means, within its context. However, what is the proper usage of these forms?

A. Many people have trouble understanding the difference between "ser" and "estar" and when to use the right past tense. Only over time and with a lot a practice you can master the right use of these verbs.  Take a look again at lesson 1 (ser - presente), lesson 3 (estar - presente), lesson 17 (perfeito) and lesson 20 (imperfeito). Focus on the use of "ser" and "estar" when you read the past tenses (lesson 17 + 20). Take also a look at my grammar book, page 97 (23.12 + 23.13), 116, 117, 151 and 162. In my CD-ROM course you can find also an extra exercise, in which "ser" and "estar" are mixed up. Do this exercise after you have seen/read/understood all pages/lessons mentioned above. To find this exercise, click on Interactive exercises 1, More interactive exercises 4, on Verbs 4 and then ser and estar 6. Hier is a general rule for you to understand the use of "era, esteve, estava" "Era" is the past tense of "É" and "Estava" is the past tense of "Está". "Esteve" is not as frequenly used in Portuguese as in English. 

Re: Comparative/Superlative - Message sent by John on December 3, 2007

Q. How can I make a comparsion in Portuguese using the definite article without it turning into the superlative. For example, what's the difference in saying "He got the better deal" verses "He got the best deal." If I put "o" before "melhor," the meaning is changed from "better" to "best." Obrigado, John

A. The context and the rules for using the comparative and superlative are completely different, even if the word "melhor" (better/best) in your example is the same in Portuguese. You have to use the indefinite article instead of the definite article. Compare these sentences: "Ele tirou uma nota boa" versus "Ele tirou uma nota melhor do que eu" versus "Ele tirou a melhor nota da classe". You can find the comparative and superlative in my grammar book (page 58-62) and in my CD-ROM course (lesson 21). 

Re: Terminar/Acabar - Message sent by Lady J on November 29, 2007

Q. I am still enjoying the Portuguese course. I was going back through the interactive exercises and noticed that the word “terminei” was used to mean “finished”. What is the difference between terminei and acabei? Are the 2 words interchangeable?

A. Yes, both words "acabar" and "terminar" have the same meaning and are interchangeable. 

Re: Direct Object Pronouns - Message sent by Victor on August 23, 2007

Q. I also need help with Direct Object Pronouns. For example, this phrase in European Portuguese: Eu vi-a and in Brazilian Portuguese Eu vi ela. How would you say it in the infinitive form in Brazilian Portuguese? Is it Eu quero ve-la, eu quero a ver or eu quero ver ela?

A. The correct form is "Eu quero vê-la", but you may also hear "eu quero ver ela" in speech. 

Re:  Adjectives - Message sent by Andrew on June 1, 2007

Q. When you speak of a new car you say carro novo. Which in English would be a car new. And in other instances you put the noun after the adjective as we do in the Uk. Why is that? Also how do you pronounce Brazil? I am thoroughly enjoying looking at your website and look forward to learning your language. Obrigado, Andrew

A. Adjectives are usually placed after a noun. However, only certain adjectives are sometimes placed before a noun. You can find a more detailed explanation and examples in my Portuguese grammar book. L is pronounced like W (Brasiw). Take a look at the pronunciation guide available on my website.

Re: "bem/bom" - Message sent by Lady J on April 26, 2007

Q. When do you use “bem” and when do you use “bom”? Thanks Again… Lady J

A. "Bem" (well) is an adverb, it always follows a verb and it is invariable while "bom" (good) is an adjective, it always follows a noun and it is variable.

Re: "Eu estou, estou, sou" - Message sent by Maya on April 25, 2007

Q. I'm a bit confused about the use of these 3 words… basically I think it means “I am” (please correct me if im wrong). I'm just so confused about when to use it, like example: “Eu estou triste”, which means “Im sad”. But then another example is “Sou Brasileiro” which means “I'm Brazilian”. So I was just wondering if in daily use is it ok for me to use either of them or is there a certain rule to only use one at a certain time??? Maya

A. "Eu estou" = estou" and "sou" mean "I am". In Portuguese, both verbs "ser" (eu sou) and "estar" (eu estou) mean "to be". "Ser" is used for permanent or unchangeable situations like nationality, origin, profession, etc.  "Estar" is used for temporary or changeable situations, also for a state of being.

Re: “partir/sair/se embora” + "manhã- Message sent by Lady J on April 25, 2007

Q. First, thank you so much for your website. I am enjoying it very much. I have been studying Portuguese for the last 5 months, in preparation for a trip to Brazil (Bahia e Rio, em Agosto). There are a couple of things that tend to confuse me and I was wondering if you could please help me? What is the difference between “partir”, “sair”, and “se embora”? I am trying to learn how to use them. So far, I know that you use sair when you are going on vacation and partir can be used to describe when a plane is leaving. However, I am not sure of the rest. When trying to say “The plane leaves in the morning at 6 AM”, I get a little confused about the uses of “manha” in the sentence. Thanks Again & Keep up the excellent work! Lady J

A. As for your questions, "sair"  (to go out, to leave) is frequently used when you are going on vacation, when you or a plane/bus is leaving, etc. "Ir embora" (to go away, to leave) is also frequently used in everyday conversations. "Ir se embora" is old-fashioned and rarely used nowadays. "Partir" (to leave) is formal and not frequently used. "Sair" is more common and frequently used instead of "partir". As for your second question, you can say: "O avião vai sair às 6 horas da manhā“

Re: "gente" - Message sent by Ryan on April 24, 2007

Q. I have just begun studying the portuguese language and have been listening to as much as possible, mostly brazilian portuguese, on sites such as youtube, or watching documentaries with subtitles. Correct me if I am wrong, but i have noticed "gente" used when referring to "we" in english, as opposed to "nós".  Am I correct on this? Any help would be appreciated, Ryan

A. "A gente" (we) is a colloquial form. It is frequently used in speech instead of "nós" (we).

Re: Possessive pronouns - Message sent by Thomas on April 12, 2007

Q. Is it common to use possessive pronouns in Portuguese? For example, would it be common for someone to say, "Hoje, eu estou usando minha camiseta vermelha." or is it more common to say "Eu estou usando uma camiseta verhelha." In English (at least here in central Ohio in the U.S.) we very often use the possessive in this way. Thanks, Thomas

A. It's more common to say "Eu estou usando uma camiseta vermelha." or "Eu estou com uma camiseta vermelha". You don't have to say "my" unless you want to emphasize that the T-shirt is really yours and not someone's else. You can find a detailed explanation about the use of possessive pronouns in my CD-ROM course (lesson 8) and in my grammar book (page 73-74). 

Re: Difference between "fazer" and "fizer" - Message sent by Kalloe on April 3, 2007

Q. Could you explain the difference between "fazer" and "fizer"? I usually use "fazer", but heard in a song the verb "fizer". In what context is "fizer" preferred? Adiel 

A. "Fazer" is the infinitive form of the verb "to do, to make" and " fizer" is the verb "fazer" conjugated in the future subjunctive. Example: "O que você vai fazer amanhã? Se fizer sol, eu vou à praia."

Re: Change to root of the word in using a diminutive - Message sent by Tracy (USA) on April 2, 2007

Q. Great site! I have a question about using diminutives. I haven't seen an example of the one I'm having trouble with, so I'm sending you a message hoping you can help. My Brazilian ex-boyfriend gave me the apelido "vermelinha" to nicely say that my face was always red in the tropical Manaus heat. :) I never asked him how he spelled it, so is the way I spelled it correct, or should it be "vermelhinha" since the root word is vermelha? I never heard the lh- before the -inha when he said it, but maybe I wasn't listening closely enough. Muito obrigada, Tracy

A. It should be "vermelhinha" since the root word is "vermelha". The "lh" before the "-inha" should be pronounced. 

Re: "a" or "à - Message sent by Devin on March 31, 2007 

Q. When one says "to" as in "a" or "à", when do you use each? Por favor, Sonia! Ajude-me! =) Devin

A. "à" is used before female words.

Re: Expressing words of encouragement - Message sent by Henry on March 12, 2007

Q. How do you express in Portuguese words of encouragement usually beginning in English with "May...  Some examples are "May you have a long and happy life," and "May the best man win". Obrigado. Henry

A. Usually these sentences are preceded by a verb or the verb is implied. Example: "Eu desejo/Eu espero que você tenha uma vida longa e feliz"  (May you have a long and happy life), "Eu espero que a pessoa melhor/o jogador melhor ganhe" (May the best man win). 

Re: Indirect question - Message sent by Drystan on March  9, 2007

Q. Hello Sonia, Thank you so much for your wonderfully crafted Portuguese language site. It has been very helpful to me. I am wondering how Portuguese deals with indirect questions. If I wanted to say, "I wanted to ask how your work is going," how do you first signify that an indirect question has begun and then would fazer be put in the subjunctive ? I would love to hear how you would translate this sentence. Thanks so much for the help. Drystan, Vancouver, BC

A. Your sentence "I wanted to ask how your work is going"can be translated to "Eu queria perguntar/saber com está o seu trabalho". You don't need the subjunctive in this sentence. You can find a detailed explanation about the use of directed and reported speech and also about the subjunctive use in my CD-ROM course (lesson 48, 34-36, 38-40, 42-44) and in my grammar book (page 144, 104, 126-135).

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