A mesa é pequena.

to be

Breakdown of A mesa é pequena.

• a mesa: the table
• pequeno: small

Questions & Answers about A mesa é pequena.

Why do we use the feminine article "a" before "mesa"?

In Portuguese, nouns have grammatical gender, and mesa is a feminine noun. Therefore, we use the feminine definite article a instead of the masculine o.

What is the difference between "é" and "está" in Portuguese?

É is a form of the verb ser, usually indicating a permanent or essential characteristic. Está is a form of the verb estar, which indicates a temporary or changing condition. In A mesa é pequena, we’re describing a permanent feature of the table.

Why is the adjective "pequena" instead of "pequeno"?

Adjectives in Portuguese must agree with the gender and number of the noun they modify. Because mesa is feminine, we use pequena (feminine form) rather than pequeno (masculine form).

Can I say "A mesa está pequena"?

Using está implies a temporary or unexpected condition, so A mesa está pequena would suggest the table is smaller than usual or has changed somehow. Typically, you’d simply say A mesa é pequena to describe its usual size.

Is the pronunciation of "é" different from "e"?

Yes. É (with an accent) is pronounced with an open ɛ sound, somewhat like the "e" in "bet". In contrast, e (without an accent) can vary in pronunciation, often sounding more like an ee or a reduced uh sound, depending on its position in the word.