Questions & Answers about Eu sou contra isto.
Why is it sou and not estou?
Because sou comes from ser, not estar.
In Eu sou contra isto, Portuguese uses ser to express a more general position, belief, or stance:
- sou contra = I am against
- sou a favor = I am in favor
Using estar here would usually sound unnatural if you mean a general opinion.
So:
- Eu sou contra isto. = a general stance/opinion
- Estou contra isto. = not the normal way to say it in Brazilian Portuguese
Can I leave out eu?
Yes. Very often, Portuguese drops the subject pronoun when it is clear from the verb.
So both are correct:
- Eu sou contra isto.
- Sou contra isto.
Because sou already tells you the subject is I, eu is often optional.
You might keep eu for:
- emphasis
- contrast
- clarity
Example:
- Eu sou contra isto, mas ela é a favor.
What exactly does contra mean here?