Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Portuguese grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Eu fecho o livro.
What does the sentence “Eu fecho o livro” mean in English?
It means “I close the book.” Here, Eu translates as I, fecho is the first-person singular present tense form of the verb fechar (to close), and o livro means the book.
Why is the subject pronoun Eu included even though the verb ending already indicates the subject?
In Portuguese, subject pronouns are often omitted because the verb conjugation clearly reflects the subject. However, including Eu can add emphasis or clarity, especially for learners who are still getting used to how verb endings indicate the subject.
Why do we use the definite article o before livro?
The definite article o is used because livro is a masculine singular noun. Portuguese, like English, uses articles (in this case, the) to specify a noun; here, o indicates that we are referring to a particular book.
What tense is used in this sentence and what does it tell us about the action?
The sentence is in the present indicative tense. In Portuguese, the present tense can indicate that the action is happening right now, is a habitual action, or states a general truth. The exact nuance depends on context.
Is the word order in “Eu fecho o livro” similar to English, and if so, why might that be helpful for learners?
Yes, the sentence follows the typical subject–verb–object (SVO) order, which is the same as in English. This similarity makes it easier for English speakers to understand and construct basic sentences in Portuguese.