A qualidade das frutas é importante.

to be

Breakdown of A qualidade das frutas é importante.

• importante: important
• fruta: fruit
• das: of the
• a qualidade: the quality

Questions & Answers about A qualidade das frutas é importante.

Why do we use das frutas instead of something like de frutas or da fruta?

In Portuguese, das is a contraction of de + as (the feminine plural article). Here, we’re referring specifically to the fruits in general (in a plural sense), hence we say das frutas. If we said da fruta, we’d be talking about the quality of a single, generic fruit; de frutas might sound more like “of fruit” in a non-specific or less defined way.

Why do we say é (singular) instead of são (plural)?

The subject of the sentence is A qualidade, which is singular. Even though it refers to multiple fruits, the main noun qualidade is what dictates the verb form. Thus, we use the singular verb é.

Why is importante in the singular form as well?

Because it refers back to A qualidade (a singular noun). In Portuguese, adjectives need to agree in number (and sometimes gender) with the noun they describe. Qualidade is singular, so importante remains singular. If it were something like As qualidades das frutas são importantes, then “importantes” would be plural.

Is there any difference in meaning between A qualidade das frutas é importante and É importante a qualidade das frutas?

They both convey the same meaning (that fruit quality is important). The difference is mostly in emphasis. When starting with É importante, you’re placing emphasis on the idea of importance. When starting with A qualidade das frutas, you’re explicitly highlighting that the subject under discussion is a qualidade (the quality).

Could we say A qualidade de frutas é importante instead?

You could, but it might sound a bit vague and less natural in everyday speech. Das frutas is more common and specific, clearly indicating you’re talking about the quality of those fruits. De frutas might come off as a more general or abstract phrasing.