Breakdown of O sofá está ao lado da janela.
estar
to be
a janela
the window
o sofá
the sofa
ao lado de
next to
Questions & Answers about O sofá está ao lado da janela.
Why is it está and not é?
Because Portuguese usually uses estar for location.
- estar = to be, in a place or condition
- ser = to be, for identity, characteristics, origin, time, etc.
So:
- O sofá está ao lado da janela. = The sofa is next to the window.
- Not O sofá é ao lado da janela.
A simple learner rule is:
- use estar for where something is
- use ser for what something is
What does ao lado de mean?
Ao lado de means next to, beside, or at the side of.
It is a very common location expression.
Examples:
- ao lado da janela = next to the window
- ao lado da porta = next to the door
- ao lado do carro = next to the car
Literally, lado means side, so the phrase is something like at the side of.
Why is it ao lado and not just lado?