Breakdown of Eu prefiro água com limão quando estou com dor de garganta.
eu
I
estar
to be
a água
the water
com
with
Questions & Answers about Eu prefiro água com limão quando estou com dor de garganta.
Why is eu included? I thought Portuguese often drops subject pronouns.
Yes, Portuguese often leaves out subject pronouns because the verb ending already shows the subject. So:
Including eu can add:
- emphasis: I prefer...
- contrast: Eu prefiro água com limão, mas ela prefere chá.
- a slightly clearer, more explicit tone
So in this sentence, eu is optional, not required.
Why is it prefiro?
Prefiro is the 1st person singular present of preferir (to prefer).
- eu prefiro = I prefer
- você prefere = you prefer
- ele/ela prefere = he/she prefers
- nós preferimos = we prefer
- eles/elas preferem = they prefer
So Eu prefiro... simply means I prefer...
Why is there no article before água? Why not a água?