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Questions & Answers about Eu recomendo o café quente.
What does “Eu recomendo o café quente.” mean in English?
It means “I recommend the hot coffee.” Even if the meaning has already been shown, this direct translation helps confirm your understanding of each part of the sentence.
Why is the verb “recomendo” conjugated the way it is in this sentence?
“Recomendo” is the first-person singular present tense of the verb “recomendar” (to recommend). It matches the pronoun “Eu” (I), and in Portuguese the verb form clearly indicates the subject. Often, the subject pronoun can even be dropped because the verb ending already shows who is performing the action.
What is the role of the definite article “o” in the phrase “o café quente”?
The article “o” is the masculine definite article equivalent to “the” in English. In Portuguese, nouns almost always require an article. Since “café” is a masculine noun, we use “o” to indicate that we are referring to a specific kind or instance of coffee—here, the hot coffee being recommended.
Why is the adjective “quente” placed after the noun “café” instead of before it?
In Portuguese, adjectives typically follow the noun they describe. Placing “quente” after “café” is standard when simply describing an inherent quality of the noun. While adjectives can sometimes come before the noun for emphasis or stylistic reasons, the post-nominal position is the most common structure for descriptive adjectives in Portuguese.
Does the adjective “quente” change form depending on the noun’s gender and number?
Yes, adjectives in Portuguese usually agree with the noun in gender and number. In this sentence, since “café” is masculine singular, “quente” remains in its base form. (Note that some adjectives change form between masculine and feminine or singular and plural, but “quente” happens to be the same for both masculine and feminine in the singular form; only the plural form would be “quentes.”)
Is it acceptable to omit the article “o” before “café” in this sentence?
Generally, no. In everyday Portuguese, especially when referring to specific items or making clear recommendations, the definite article is necessary. While there are cases where articles can be dropped in Portuguese (particularly with abstract nouns or in certain idiomatic expressions), in this context “o café quente” is the correct and natural form.
Could you rearrange the sentence while keeping the meaning intact?
Yes, Portuguese allows some flexibility in sentence structure. For example, you might say “O café quente é o que eu recomendo.” This version still means “It’s the hot coffee that I recommend,” though it emphasizes “café quente” differently. However, “Eu recomendo o café quente” is more straightforward and common in everyday conversation.