Este dia é especial.

to be

Breakdown of Este dia é especial.

• este: this
• dia: day
• especial: special

Questions & Answers about Este dia é especial.

Why does the sentence start with este? What does este do here?

Este is a demonstrative adjective. It means this and points to a specific noun: dia.

So:

• este dia = this day

In Portuguese, demonstratives usually come before the noun, just like in English:

• este livro = this book
• esta casa = this house

Because dia is masculine singular, the form is este.

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Why is it este and not esta?

Because dia is a masculine noun.

Portuguese demonstratives must agree with the noun in gender and number:

• este = masculine singular
• esta = feminine singular
• estes = masculine plural
• estas = feminine plural

So:

• este dia = this day
• esta noite = this night

Even though dia ends in -a, it is still masculine. That is one of the exceptions learners have to memorize.

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Why is dia masculine if it ends in ?