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Questions & Answers about Eu escrevo uma palavra nova.
Why is the adjective nova placed after the noun palavra instead of before it like in English?
In Portuguese, adjectives typically come after the noun they modify. Although in English adjectives usually precede the noun, Portuguese often follows a noun–adjective order, so palavra nova aligns with standard Portuguese syntax.
Why is the subject pronoun eu explicitly stated even though the verb form indicates the subject?
Portuguese verb endings usually indicate the subject, so including eu is optional. However, beginners often use the pronoun for clarity or emphasis. In this sentence, it makes it clear that the speaker is referring to themselves.
What does the verb escrevo mean, and how is it conjugated?
Escrevo is the first person singular present tense form of the verb escrever, which means to write. It corresponds directly to I write in English.
What role does the article uma play in the sentence?
Uma is a feminine indefinite article meaning a in English. It signals that palavra (word) is a feminine noun and indicates that the speaker is referring to one new word.
How can I tell that palavra is feminine and that nova must agree with it?
Nouns and adjectives in Portuguese have gender. In this sentence, palavra is a feminine noun, as shown by its pairing with the feminine article uma. The adjective nova is also in its feminine form to match, ensuring grammatical agreement.