O descanso nem sempre é suficiente depois da lesão.

O is the masculine singular definite article, meaning the.

So o descanso = the rest.

Portuguese uses definite articles more often than English does. In a general statement like this, Portuguese commonly says o descanso where English might simply say rest.

Nem sempre means not always.

This is the normal, idiomatic way to say not always in Portuguese.
Using não sempre would sound unnatural in standard Portuguese.

A useful pattern to remember:

• sempre = always
• nem sempre = not always

Here, nem is not literally the English nor. In this expression, it works as part of the fixed phrase nem sempre.

É is the third-person singular form of ser in the present tense.

Because the subject is o descanso (rest), which is singular, Portuguese uses é:

• O descanso é suficiente. = Rest is sufficient.

This sentence is making a general statement, so the present tense is natural.

The accent distinguishes é from e.

• é = is
• e = and

So in this sentence:

• é suficiente = is sufficient

The accent is important both for meaning and pronunciation.

Here, suficiente is an adjective meaning sufficient or enough.

It describes o descanso:

• O descanso ... é suficiente = Rest ... is sufficient

It is not an adverb here. If it were an adverb like sufficiently, the structure would be different.

Also note that suficiente has the same form in the singular for masculine and feminine nouns:

• o descanso é suficiente
• a recuperação é suficiente

But the plural changes:

• os cuidados são suficientes

Portuguese usually places adverbs like nem sempre before the verb when modifying the whole statement.

So:

• O descanso nem sempre é suficiente.

This is the most natural order.

A very literal breakdown is:

• O descanso = the rest
• nem sempre = not always
• é = is
• suficiente = sufficient

Portuguese word order is often flexible, but this version is the standard, natural one.

Depois da lesão means after the injury.

Breakdown:

• depois de = after
• a lesão = the injury

When de comes before a, they contract:

• de + a = da

So:

• depois da lesão = after the injury

This kind of contraction is very common in Portuguese.

Because Portuguese normally contracts de + a into da.

So:

• de a lesão → da lesão

Other common contractions:

• de + o = do
• de + os = dos
• de + as = das

This is standard grammar, not optional in normal usage.

Lesão is a feminine noun meaning injury, lesion, or damage, depending on context.

In this sentence, it most naturally means injury.

Because it is feminine, it takes a in the singular:

• a lesão

And after de, that becomes:

• da lesão

You may also hear other words in related contexts, such as:

• ferida = wound
• machucado = injury / hurt / bruise
• contusão = contusion / bruise

But lesão is a very common word in medical, sports, and rehabilitation contexts.

In Brazilian Portuguese, lesão is pronounced approximately leh-ZOWN, but with a nasal ending.

A few points:

• the stress is on the last syllable: -são
• ão is a very common nasal ending in Portuguese
• it does not sound exactly like English own

A rough pronunciation guide:

• le = like leh
• são = something like zown, but nasalized

If you want a more Portuguese-like result, focus on making the ending nasal rather than fully pronouncing a strong English n sound.

Yes. Após a lesão also means after the injury.

The difference is mostly one of style:

• depois da lesão = more common and conversational
• após a lesão = a bit more formal or technical

Both are correct, but depois da lesão is very natural in everyday Brazilian Portuguese.

No. Nem sempre means not always, not never.

So the sentence means that rest is sometimes enough, but sometimes not.

Compare:

• nem sempre = not always
• nunca = never

So:

• O descanso nem sempre é suficiente. = Rest is not always sufficient.
• O descanso nunca é suficiente. = Rest is never sufficient.

Those have different meanings.

Yes. Descanso can mean:

• rest
• a period of rest
• a break, depending on context

In this sentence, it clearly means rest in the sense of physical recovery.

For example:

• Preciso de descanso. = I need rest.
• Vamos fazer um descanso. = Let’s take a break.

Context tells you which meaning is intended.