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Questions & Answers about Este gato é grande?
Why do we say Este gato instead of Esse gato?
In Brazilian Portuguese, este typically refers to something near the speaker, while esse often refers to something closer to the listener or previously mentioned. Although in casual speech this difference sometimes gets blurred, learning it helps you communicate with more precision.
Why is é used instead of está in Este gato é grande?
Portuguese uses ser (é) to describe inherent or permanent characteristics, and estar (está) to talk about temporary conditions or states. Since the cat’s size (being big) is viewed as a permanent or defining characteristic, é is the correct choice here.
Is there a feminine form for gato if the cat is female?
Yes. The masculine noun is gato (for a male cat), and the feminine form is gata (for a female cat). If you were talking about a female cat, you would say Esta gata é grande?
Is the word Este related to the English word "this"?
Yes, este literally translates to this in English, indicating a cat that is close to the speaker. It’s part of the demonstrative pronouns in Portuguese that help identify the location of the subject relative to the speaker or listener.
How do I form a yes/no question like Este gato é grande? in Portuguese?
In Portuguese, a yes/no question often has the same word order as a statement, but it’s identified by rising intonation and a question mark in writing. There’s no need for an auxiliary verb (like "do" in English). So Este gato é grande? remains in the same order as the statement Este gato é grande, but you raise your voice at the end and add a question mark.
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