Eu sempre quero ouvir música antes de dormir.

I always want to listen to music before sleeping.

Breakdown of Eu sempre quero ouvir música antes de dormir.

• eu: I
• querer: to want
• de: of
• sempre: always
• antes: before
• música: music
• ouvir: to listen to
• dormir: to sleep

Questions & Answers about Eu sempre quero ouvir música antes de dormir.

Why do we say "ouvir música" instead of "ouvir a música"?

In Portuguese, when we refer to music in general (not a specific song), we tend to leave out the article (a). Saying "ouvir música" implies hearing any kind of music, rather than a particular track.

Why is "sempre" placed after "Eu" and before "quero"?

Adverbs like "sempre" typically come before or after the verb they modify. Here, it’s before "quero" to emphasize the frequency of wanting. You can also find variations like "Eu quero sempre ouvir música...", but this sounds slightly more emphatic.

Why do we use "de" in "antes de dormir"?

In Portuguese, "antes de" is a common structure that requires "de" before a verb in the infinitive. So when expressing something you do before doing another activity, you say "antes de + infinitive".

Could I say "Eu quero sempre ouvir música antes de dormir"?

Yes! That’s still correct grammatically. It simply shifts the emphasis slightly, giving more stress to the "sempre" part (always) rather than linking it as closely to the idea of wanting (quero).

What’s the difference between "quero ouvir música" and "gostaria de ouvir música"?

In Portuguese, "quero" is more direct and stronger, roughly translating to "I want." By contrast, "gostaria de" is more polite or indirect, akin to "I would like." Both express a desire, but "gostaria de" is softer or more formal in tone.