Sem a lista, eu sempre esqueço o leite e o pão.

Without the list, I always forget the milk and the bread.

Breakdown of Sem a lista, eu sempre esqueço o leite e o pão.

• eu: I
• e: and
• sempre: always
• o pão: the bread
• sem: without
• esquecer: to forget
• a lista: the list
• o leite: the milk

Questions & Answers about Sem a lista, eu sempre esqueço o leite e o pão.

Why does it start with Sem a lista and not Sem da lista or Sem com a lista?

Sem means without and it takes a noun phrase directly: sem + noun.
So sem a lista = without the list.

• da = de + a (of/from the), which doesn’t fit after sem here.
• com means with, the opposite idea.

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Why is it a lista (feminine) and not o lista?

Lista is a feminine noun in Portuguese, so it uses feminine articles and adjectives:

• a lista = the list
• uma lista = a list

There’s no rule that all nouns ending in -a are feminine, but lista is.

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What’s the purpose of the comma in Sem a lista, eu sempre...?

The comma separates an introductory phrase (Sem a lista) from the main clause. It’s very common in Portuguese (and also fine in English):

• Sem a lista, eu sempre esqueço... = Without the list, I always forget...

You might see it without a comma in informal writing, but the comma is standard and clear.

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Is eu required here? Could I say Sem a lista, sempre esqueço...?

Eu is optional because the verb ending -o in esqueço already tells you it’s I. Both are possible:

• Sem a lista, eu sempre esqueço... (more explicit; often used for emphasis or clarity)
• Sem a lista, sempre esqueço... (more natural/colloquial in many contexts)

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Why is sempre placed before the verb: eu sempre esqueço?

In Portuguese, adverbs like sempre commonly go before the main verb:

• eu sempre esqueço = I always forget

You can move it for emphasis, but the most neutral placement is exactly as in the sentence.

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What tense is esqueço and how do I form it?

Esqueço is present tense, 1st person singular (I forget). It comes from the verb esquecer.

Present tense (eu):

• eu esqueço = I forget / I do forget / I’m prone to forgetting (depending on context)

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Why is it esqueço o leite e o pão and not esqueço de o leite?

In Portuguese, esquecer can be used in two common patterns:

1) esquecer + direct object (very common)

• esqueço o leite e o pão = I forget the milk and the bread

2) esquecer de + infinitive / clause / sometimes a noun

• esqueci de comprar leite = I forgot to buy milk
• esqueci do leite (common too) = I forgot about the milk

In your sentence, the direct-object version is straightforward and natural.

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Why do we use o before leite and o before pão? Can I drop the articles?

Portuguese often uses definite articles where English might not, especially with everyday items in context.

• o leite = the milk
• o pão = the bread

You can drop them in some contexts (especially lists, labels, or very general statements), but here o leite e o pão sounds natural as “the milk and the bread (I was supposed to buy/remember).”

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Why is it o leite e o pão and not o leite e pão?

Portuguese often repeats the article with each noun in a coordinated pair, especially in careful or neutral speech:

• o leite e o pão (very common)

You might hear o leite e pão in faster/informal speech, but repeating o is standard and clear.

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Is there any difference between Sem a lista and Sem lista?

Yes, there’s a nuance:

• Sem a lista = without the (specific) list (the one you normally use)
• Sem lista = without a list / without any list (more general)

Both can work, but sem a lista strongly suggests a known, specific list.

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How is pão pronounced, and what does the tilde mean?

Pão is roughly like powng (one syllable, nasalized), not like pah-oh.

The ã indicates a nasal vowel. In Brazilian Portuguese:

• pão sounds nasal and ends with a nasal quality, often written in pronunciation guides as /pɐ̃w̃/ or similar.

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Could I swap the order and say Eu sempre esqueço o leite e o pão sem a lista?

Yes, that’s grammatically fine. It changes the rhythm and emphasis:

• Sem a lista, eu sempre esqueço o leite e o pão. (focuses first on the condition: without the list)
• Eu sempre esqueço o leite e o pão sem a lista. (states the habit first, then adds the condition)

The original version is especially natural when setting up the context first.