Breakdown of Eles gostam de se sentar perto da janela na sala de aula.
gostar de
to like
em
in
janela
window
eles
they
perto
near
sentar-se
to sit
sala de aula
classroom
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Questions & Answers about Eles gostam de se sentar perto da janela na sala de aula.
Why is the preposition de used after gostar in this sentence?
In Portuguese, the verb gostar is always followed by de. This construction, gostar de, means to like, so whenever a noun or an infinitive phrase (like se sentar) follows, it must be preceded by de. This is a fixed part of the verb’s usage that learners need to remember.
What is the role of the reflexive pronoun se in se sentar?
The pronoun se is used to form the reflexive infinitive sentar-se, which means to sit. In this context, it indicates that the subject is performing the action on itself. Although in English we simply say to sit, in Portuguese many verbs—including sentar-se—require this reflexive element to be grammatically correct.
How is the phrase perto da janela constructed, and what does it mean?
The phrase perto da janela translates to near the window. Here, perto is an adverb meaning near. It is followed by da, which is a contraction of the preposition de and the feminine article a (meaning of the or from the). This contraction is common in Portuguese when a preposition precedes a noun with an article.
Why is na sala de aula used instead of saying em a sala de aula?
In Portuguese, the preposition em (meaning in) combines with the feminine singular article a to form na. Therefore, na sala de aula means in the classroom. Using the contraction na is both grammatically correct and stylistically preferred for smoother, natural-sounding sentences.
Can the reflexive pronoun se be omitted in se sentar?
No, the reflexive pronoun se is an integral part of the verb sentar-se. Omitting it would not only change the intended meaning but also result in an ungrammatical construction. In Portuguese, many verbs that describe personal actions require a reflexive form, which learners must use to express the correct idea.