Breakdown of Fica aqui e pensa na tua filha, ela precisa de ajuda.
ela
she
precisar de
to need
e
and
a ajuda
the help
ficar
to stay
aqui
here
pensar em
to think about
tua
your
a filha
the daughter
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Questions & Answers about Fica aqui e pensa na tua filha, ela precisa de ajuda.
What grammatical mood are the verbs “fica” and “pensa” in, and why?
Both verbs are in the imperative mood because they issue direct commands. “Fica” (from ficar) instructs someone to stay, and “pensa” (from pensar) tells them to think about something—in this case, about their daughter.
Why isn’t the subject explicitly mentioned in this sentence?
In Portuguese, especially with commands, the subject is often implied by the verb’s conjugation. Here, the verbs are in the informal “tu” form, so it is understood that the speaker is addressing someone familiar, without needing to explicitly state “tu.”
How is the phrase “na tua filha” constructed, and what does it mean?
“Na tua filha” is a contraction where “em” (meaning “in” or “about”) combines with the feminine definite article “a” to form “na.” When paired with “tua,” the informal possessive for “your,” the phrase translates as “about your daughter.” This construction is required because “pensar” typically needs the preposition “em” before its object.
Why is the informal possessive “tua” used instead of the formal “sua”?
The use of “tua” matches the informal “tu” conjugation seen in “fica” and “pensa.” In European Portuguese, when addressing someone informally, you use “tua” for possession. “Sua” would be appropriate in a more formal context or with the formal pronoun “você.”
What is the function of the comma in “Fica aqui e pensa na tua filha, ela precisa de ajuda”?
The comma separates two distinct parts of the sentence. It divides the commands (“Fica aqui e pensa na tua filha”) from the explanatory statement (“ela precisa de ajuda”), signaling a pause and clarifying that the daughter is the one who needs help.
Why does “pensa” require the contraction “na” before “tua filha”?
In Portuguese, the verb “pensar” when used with an object of thought typically takes the preposition “em.” Since “filha” is feminine and requires the definite article “a,” the preposition and article contract to become “na.” This correct construction turns “pensar em a tua filha” into “pensa na tua filha.”