Para quem tem família maior, um carro menor pode ser difícil de usar.

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Breakdown of Para quem tem família maior, um carro menor pode ser difícil de usar.

• pequeno: small
• ter: to have
• um: a
• o carro: the car
• a família: the family
• usar: to use
• difícil: difficult
• para quem: for someone who
• poder ser: to be able to be

Questions & Answers about Para quem tem família maior, um carro menor pode ser difícil de usar.

How does Para quem tem translate compared to a more literal English phrase?

In Portuguese, Para quem tem literally translates as For who has, but it’s a common structure meaning For those who have. Instead of saying Para as pessoas que têm, the shorter Para quem tem makes the sentence sound more natural to a native speaker.

Why is família maior used rather than família grande?

While família grande could also work, família maior emphasizes the comparative idea that this family is bigger than average or bigger than some reference point. It subtly suggests size in comparison to typical families rather than simply describing a family as large.

What is the difference between um carro menor and um carro pequeno?

Both convey the idea of a smaller car. Menor can imply a smaller size in direct comparison with something else (like smaller than the car you might normally use), whereas pequeno just states that the car is small. In everyday speech, they can be used interchangeably, but menor often has a more comparative nuance.

Why is pode ser difícil de usar structured with de before usar?

In Portuguese, certain expressions with ser + adjetivo + de + verbo are common (e.g., é fácil de entender, é difícil de fazer). The de acts as a connector, linking the descriptive phrase difícil with the infinitive usar. It’s a set pattern in Portuguese and is considered more natural than saying pode ser difícil usar.

Could I replace usar with dirigir in this sentence?

Yes, you could say pode ser difícil de dirigir if you mean difficult to drive. However, usar is broader in scope, referring to using the car in different contexts (not just driving), such as fitting in all family members, loading luggage, and so on.