Questions & Answers about Eu estou com sede desde o almoço.
Why does Portuguese use estou com sede instead of a verb like to have thirst?
In Brazilian Portuguese, many physical states are expressed with estar + com + noun, literally to be with something:
- estar com sede = to be thirsty
- estar com fome = to be hungry
- estar com sono = to be sleepy
Portuguese can also say ter sede (to have thirst), but estar com sede is usually the most natural in everyday speech.
Why is estou used here and not sou?
Sede (thirst) is a temporary condition, so Portuguese uses estar (temporary state): eu estou com sede.
Ser (sou) is for more permanent characteristics/identity (e.g., eu sou brasileiro, eu sou alto).
What does desde mean here, and how does it affect the verb tense?
Desde means since (starting point in time). In Portuguese, it’s common to use the present to talk about something that started in the past and continues now:
English often uses the present perfect (I’ve been…), but Portuguese frequently stays with the present (estou).
Why is it desde o almoço and not desde do almoço?
Why is there an article o before almoço? In English we often say just since lunch.
Portuguese often uses a definite article with meals in a general sense:
- o almoço = lunch (the lunch/that mealtime)
- o jantar, o café da manhã similarly
You can sometimes drop the article depending on style/region, but desde o almoço is very standard and natural.
Does o almoço mean this lunch (today) or could it mean any lunch?
Could I also say Tenho sede desde o almoço? Is it wrong?
Is desde the only option? What about faz… or há…?
Desde is the most direct way to say since (a starting point). There are other structures, but they emphasize duration differently:
- Estou com sede desde o almoço. (since lunch; starting point)
- Estou com sede há horas. (for hours; duration)
- Faz horas que estou com sede. (it’s been hours that I’m thirsty)
They’re all possible, but they’re not identical in focus.
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