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Questions & Answers about Maria recebe um presente.
What does the word recebe mean in this sentence?
Recebe is the third person singular present form of the verb receber, which means to receive. In this sentence, it tells us that Maria receives a gift.
What is meant by um presente?
Um presente translates to a gift or a present. The word um is the masculine singular indefinite article, which is used here because presente is a common masculine noun referring to a non-specific gift.
Why is the indefinite article um used instead of a definite article like o?
The indefinite article um is used because the gift is mentioned in a general, unspecified way—just like a in English. If the sentence were referring to a specific gift known to the speaker and listener, a definite article (like o presente) would be used instead.
Is the sentence structure in Portuguese similar to that in English?
Yes, the sentence follows a similar Subject-Verb-Object order as in English. Maria (subject) comes first, then recebe (verb), and finally um presente (object).
How would the verb receber be conjugated for different subjects, such as “I receive a gift” or “They receive a gift”?
For “I receive a gift,” you would say Eu recebo um presente. For “They receive a gift”: • If referring to a group of males or a mixed group, say Eles recebem um presente. • If referring specifically to a group of females, say Elas recebem um presente. Each conjugation adapts the ending of receber to agree with the subject.