Breakdown of A senhora gosta dessa blusa branca ou prefere uma colorida?
gostar de
to like
ou
or
preferir
to prefer
a senhora
you
a blusa
the blouse
branco
white
colorido
colorful
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Questions & Answers about A senhora gosta dessa blusa branca ou prefere uma colorida?
What does "A senhora" mean in this sentence?
"A senhora" is a formal way to address a woman. In English, it can be translated as "you" when used politely, or as "ma'am/madam" depending on the context. It conveys respect and is typically used with someone older or in formal situations.
What is the meaning of "gosta" and why is it in the third person singular?
"Gosta" is the third person singular form of the verb "gostar," which means "to like." Even though the speaker is addressing someone directly, the use of "gosta" is required because "a senhora" is treated as a third person reference in formal language.
How is "dessa" formed and what does it indicate in this context?
"Dessa" is a contraction of "de" and "essa." It functions as a demonstrative that roughly translates to "this" (or "of this") in English. Here, it specifies which blouse is being talked about, pointing to a particular white blouse near the speaker or within the context.
Why is "a senhora" used instead of the more informal "você"?
"A senhora" is used to show respect and formality, often when addressing someone older than the speaker or someone in a position where politeness is important. Using "a senhora" automatically requires the verb to be in the third person singular form, as seen with "gosta."
What does "colorida" mean in this sentence?
"Colorida" is an adjective meaning "colorful" or "brightly colored." It describes the alternative blouse compared to the "branca" (white) one mentioned earlier in the sentence.
Why is the noun "blusa" mentioned only once even though the sentence presents two options?
In Portuguese, as in English, it is common to avoid unnecessary repetition. The noun "blusa" is stated just one time, and the adjectives "branca" and "colorida" are used to clearly differentiate the two options. The context makes it clear that both adjectives refer to the same type of item, so repeating "blusa" is unnecessary.