Questions & Answers about Nós temos o mesmo problema.
Why is nós used here if temos already indicates “we”?
Portuguese is a pro-drop language, which means the subject pronoun can be omitted because the verb ending already shows the person. Saying Temos o mesmo problema is perfectly correct and more common in everyday speech. Including nós adds emphasis or clarity—especially in writing or when distinguishing “we” from “they.”
What does temos literally mean, and can ter also mean “to be”?
Why is there an article o before mesmo problema? Could we say mesmo problema without it?
In Portuguese, singular countable nouns usually require a definite article. O mesmo problema is “the same problem.” Omitting the article (temos mesmo problema) sounds odd or ungrammatical in Portuguese. You could drop the article in very colloquial or headline-style Portuguese, but it isn’t standard.
Why is problema masculine? I thought words ending in -a are feminine.
What role does mesmo play here? Could it come after the noun?
Mesmo means “same” or “very.” When you put it before a noun preceded by the article, o mesmo problema, it means “the same problem.” If you place mesmo after the noun (e.g., o problema mesmo), it acts more like an intensifier: “the exact problem,” “that very problem,” often with extra stress or in spoken, informal contexts.
How would I say “We have the very same problem” with extra emphasis?
What about plural? How do I say “We have the same problems”?
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