Questions & Answers about Esta planta está no jardim.
Why are esta and está so similar, and what is the difference between them?
They look very similar, but they do completely different jobs:
- esta = this
It is a demonstrative adjective and goes with a feminine singular noun. - está = is
It is the 3rd person singular form of the verb estar.
So in Esta planta está no jardim:
- esta planta = this plant
- está = is
A very important difference is the accent:
- esta → no accent
- está → accent on the final a
That accent helps show it is the verb form.
Why is it esta planta and not este planta?
Because planta is a feminine noun in Portuguese.
Demonstratives must agree with the noun in gender and number:
- este = this, masculine singular
- esta = this, feminine singular
- estes = these, masculine plural
- estas = these, feminine plural
Since planta is feminine singular, you use esta:
- esta planta = this plant
If the noun were masculine, you would use este:
- este jardim = this garden
Why is the verb está used instead of é?