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Antes de jantar, eu bebo café.

Antes de jantar, eu bebo café.
Before dinner, I drink coffee.
FromLesson 5inHardcore Portuguese (Portugal)

Breakdown of Antes de jantar, eu bebo café.

eu
I
o café
the coffee
beber
to drink
de
of
o jantar
the dinner
antes
before

Questions & Answers about Antes de jantar, eu bebo café.

What does the phrase antes de jantar mean in this sentence?
It means "before dinner." The phrase sets a time frame for the action, indicating that the speaker drinks coffee prior to having dinner.
Why is there a comma after jantar?
The comma separates the introductory time expression antes de jantar from the main clause eu bebo café. This punctuation clarifies that the time reference applies to the entire following action and creates a natural pause in the sentence.
Why is the subject pronoun eu explicitly stated, even though the verb form already indicates the subject?
While Portuguese verbs are conjugated to imply the subject, including eu (meaning "I") adds clarity or emphasis. It explicitly confirms who is performing the action, which can be especially useful for learners.
Can the sentence be rearranged without changing its meaning?
Yes, you could also say "Eu bebo café antes de jantar." Both forms are grammatically correct; placing the time expression at the beginning is a stylistic choice that often emphasizes when the action happens.
What role does the preposition de play in antes de jantar?
The preposition de connects antes (meaning "before") with jantar (meaning "dinner"). It establishes the relationship between the timing (before) and the event (dinner), indicating that the coffee is drunk prior to dinner.
What does the present tense of bebo imply about the speaker's action?
The present tense bebo suggests that this is a habitual or routine action. It implies that the speaker regularly drinks coffee before dinner rather than referring to a one-time event.
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