Questions & Answers about Esta linha é longa.
Why is it esta and not este?
Why is linha feminine?
In Portuguese, every noun has a grammatical gender, usually masculine or feminine. Linha happens to be feminine, so words connected to it also take feminine forms:
- esta linha
- a linha
- linha longa
This is grammatical gender, not biological gender.
Is esta here a form of the verb estar?
No. Here, esta is a demonstrative adjective meaning this.
A very common beginner confusion is:
- esta = this (no accent)
- está = is from estar (with an accent)
Compare:
- Esta linha é longa. = This line is long.
- A linha está longa. = The line is long / has become long in a more situational sense
Why does é have an accent?
Because é is the verb is, from ser, and it is always written with an acute accent.
This matters because:
- é = is
- e = and
So the accent changes the word completely.
Why is the verb é and not está?
Portuguese often uses ser for a characteristic or description, and estar for a temporary state or condition.
Here, é longa is the normal, neutral way to say that the line is long as a description.
- é longa = it is long
- está longa = it is being long / has become long / is long at the moment
In many basic descriptive sentences, ser is the expected choice.
Why is it longa and not longo?
Because adjectives usually agree with the noun in gender and number.
Since linha is feminine singular, the adjective also has to be feminine singular:
- longo = masculine singular
- longa = feminine singular
- longos = masculine plural
- longas = feminine plural
So:
- um texto longo
- uma linha longa
Why does the adjective come after the verb here?
Because this sentence uses a linking verb structure:
- Esta linha = subject
- é = linking verb
- longa = adjective describing the subject
So longa naturally comes after é.
This is similar to English:
- The line is long.
If you make it a noun phrase instead, Portuguese also usually puts the adjective after the noun:
- uma linha longa = a long line
How is linha pronounced?
A rough Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation is:
LEEN-ya
The important part is nh, which sounds like ny in words like canyon.
So the whole sentence is roughly:
ES-tah LEEN-ya eh LON-gah
Not exact, but close enough for a beginner.
Can I say essa linha é longa instead?
Yes. In everyday Brazilian Portuguese, essa is very common, and in speech the distinction between esta and essa is often looser than in traditional grammar.
Traditional grammar says:
- esta = this, near the speaker
- essa = that / this near the listener or already mentioned
But in casual Brazilian usage, essa often appears where an English speaker might expect this.
So Esta linha é longa is correct, but Essa linha é longa is also very natural in many contexts.
Do I need an article, like a, before esta linha?
No. Esta already determines the noun, so esta linha is complete by itself.
You normally say:
- Esta linha é longa.
Not:
- A esta linha é longa.
So in this sentence, no article is needed.
Can I omit linha and say Esta é longa?
Yes, if the context makes it clear what esta refers to.
- Esta é longa. = This one is long.
Portuguese often leaves out the noun when it is already understood.
Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor
Start learning PortugueseMaster Portuguese — from Esta linha é longa to fluency
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
- ✓Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
- ✓Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
- ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions