Eu gosto do filme.

I like the film.

Breakdown of Eu gosto do filme.

• eu: I
• gostar de: to like
• o filme: the film

Questions & Answers about Eu gosto do filme.

What does the verb form gosto mean, and why is it used in this sentence?

Gosto is the first-person singular present tense of the verb gostar, which means "to like". In this sentence, "Eu gosto do filme" translates to "I like the film."

Why is the contraction do used before filme instead of simply de?

Portuguese requires the preposition de after the verb gostar to indicate what is liked. Since filme is a masculine noun and is preceded by the definite article o, de and o contract to form do.

Is it necessary to include the subject Eu in this sentence?

Not strictly. Portuguese often allows the subject pronoun to be omitted because the verb ending already indicates the subject. However, using Eu adds clarity or emphasis in this sentence.

Does this sentence follow the same structure as expressing likes in English?

The overall meaning is similar to English, but Portuguese uses a different structure. In English you simply say "I like the film", whereas in Portuguese, the verb gostar always pairs with the preposition de (thus "gosto de") and combines with the article when needed.

What role does the definite article o play in the sentence?

The definite article o specifies that filme is a masculine noun referring to a specific film. When combined with the preposition de, it contracts to do. This contraction is essential for proper and natural-sounding Portuguese.