Breakdown of Vocês querem desenhar com a Maria hoje?
Maria
Maria
hoje
today
querer
to want
desenhar
to draw
vocês
you all
com
with
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Questions & Answers about Vocês querem desenhar com a Maria hoje?
What does "Vocês" mean, and why is it used here instead of "Tu"?
"Vocês" is the second-person plural pronoun in Portuguese, equivalent to "you all" in English. Even though it translates to "you" for each person, it is used when addressing more than one person. While informal communication in some dialects might use "tu" for singular casual talk, "vocês" is the standard plural form in both European and Brazilian Portuguese.
How is the verb "querem" conjugated, and which subject does it agree with?
The verb "querem" is the third-person plural form of "querer" (to want) in the present tense. Although "vocês" functions as a second-person pronoun, Portuguese conjugates it like a third-person plural. Hence, "Vocês querem" means "you all want."
Why is there an article "a" before "Maria" in the phrase "com a Maria"?
In European Portuguese, it is common to use the definite article before a person's name in casual, familiar contexts. The article "a" before "Maria" gives the sentence a natural, conversational tone, indicating that the speaker refers to a specific, known person.
What does the verb "desenhar" mean in this sentence?
"Desenhar" means "to draw." In the context of this sentence, it asks if you all want "to draw" with Maria today.
Why is the time expression "hoje" placed at the end of the sentence?
"Hoje" translates to "today." Its placement at the end of the sentence is typical in Portuguese, where time expressions are often positioned after the main verb or object. This structure emphasizes the action first and then specifies when it is intended to take place.
Are there any notable differences in the sentence structure compared to English?
While the overall structure is similar—subject, verb, and additional information—Portuguese has its unique nuances. For instance, the subject "vocês" requires a third-person plural verb, and it is common to use a definite article before familiar names (e.g., "a Maria"). These differences highlight how pronoun usage and name referencing work in Portuguese compared to English.