Eu ainda estou a estudar de manhã.

I am still studying in the morning.

Breakdown of Eu ainda estou a estudar de manhã.

• eu: I
• estar: to be
• a manhã: the morning
• estudar: to study
• ainda: still

Questions & Answers about Eu ainda estou a estudar de manhã.

Why do we say "estou a estudar" instead of "estou estudando" in European Portuguese?

In European Portuguese, the periphrasis estar a + infinitive is commonly used to form the continuous (progressive) aspect, whereas in Brazilian Portuguese you typically hear estar + gerúndio (for example, estou estudando). Both forms convey the idea of something happening right now, but estar a + infinitive is the norm in European Portuguese.

What does the word "ainda" convey in this sentence?

Ainda translates to still in English. It indicates that the action (studying in the morning) is ongoing or continuing. It emphasizes that the speaker has not stopped or changed their routine of studying in the morning.

Why do we say "de manhã" instead of "pela manhã"?

Both de manhã and pela manhã are used to refer to something happening in the morning. However, de manhã is more common in day-to-day usage to mean in the morning or during the morning. Pela manhã can sound a bit more formal or literary, though it is also correct. Often, de manhã feels simpler and more direct.

How would the sentence change if I remove "ainda"?

Removing ainda (still) would remove the emphasis on the ongoing nature of the activity. Saying Eu estou a estudar de manhã would simply state that you study in the morning, without highlighting that it continues to happen or hasn’t stopped.

Is it normal to use "de manhã" even if it’s just part of the morning, like early or late morning?

Yes. De manhã covers the entire morning period. If you need to be more precise, you can specify a time, e.g. de manhã cedo (early in the morning). But typically, de manhã just means during the morning, without indicating an exact hour.