O carro novo é mais caro.

to be

Breakdown of O carro novo é mais caro.

• o: the
• novo: new
• mais caro: more expensive
• carro: the car

Questions & Answers about O carro novo é mais caro.

Why is the adjective novo placed after carro instead of before it?

In Portuguese, most adjectives typically come after the noun. Saying O carro novo is the standard way to say “the new car.” While O novo carro is not wrong per se, it can sound more emphatic or have a slightly different nuance, such as stressing the newness of the car.

Why do we use é instead of está in this sentence?

In Portuguese, é (from the verb ser) is used for permanent or characteristic traits. Está (from the verb estar) is used for more temporary states. Having a higher price is seen as a characteristic of the car here, so é fits better.

What does mais caro mean exactly?

Mais caro is the comparative form of caro (expensive). It means “more expensive.” You form comparatives in Portuguese by using mais + [adjective], so mais caro = “more expensive,” mais barato = “cheaper,” and so on.

Why is there a definite article O before carro?

Portuguese generally requires an article before a noun, even when talking about something in a general sense or referring to one specific item. In English, you might say “The car is new” or just “Car is new” in a simplified way, but in Portuguese it’s standard to say O carro.

Are there any pronunciation tips for carro and caro?

Yes. Carro has a strong rolled “r” in the middle (often pronounced differently in regions of Brazil, but typically like a “h” or “rr” sound). Caro has just one “r,” pronounced with a lighter /ɾ/ or /h/ sound, depending on the accent.