Breakdown of Nós levantamo-nos cedo ao fim de semana para aproveitar melhor o dia.
o dia
the day
nós
we
cedo
early
levantar-se
to get up
para
in order to
melhor
better
o fim de semana
the weekend
aproveitar
to make the most of
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Questions & Answers about Nós levantamo-nos cedo ao fim de semana para aproveitar melhor o dia.
Why is the reflexive pronoun nos attached to the verb with a hyphen in the sentence?
In European Portuguese, when using a reflexive verb in an affirmative sentence, the reflexive pronoun must be attached to the end of the conjugated verb with a hyphen. In “levantamo‐nos,” the pronoun nos is linked to the verb to show that the subject is acting upon itself.
Why is the subject pronoun nós explicitly included even though the verb form already indicates the first person plural?
Although the verb levantamo makes it clear that the subject is “we,” including nós can add emphasis or clarity. In Portuguese, subject pronouns are often omitted because the conjugation already implies the subject, but they are sometimes used for stylistic reasons or to avoid ambiguity.
How is the phrase ao fim de semana constructed, and what does it mean?
The phrase ao fim de semana translates to “on the weekend.” It is formed by contracting the preposition a (“to”/“at”) with the article o (“the”), resulting in ao. This contraction is used because fim is a masculine singular noun in the expression fim de semana (“weekend”).
What role does the adverb cedo play, and does it need to agree with any other element in the sentence?
The adverb cedo means “early” and indicates the time when the action occurs. Adverbs in Portuguese are invariable; they do not change form to agree with gender or number. Its placement after the verb emphasizes the timing of the action—getting up early.
What is implied by the phrase aproveitar melhor o dia in this context?
The phrase aproveitar melhor o dia means “to make better use of the day” or “to enjoy the day more fully.” It implies that by getting up early on the weekend, one can take greater advantage of the day’s opportunities, whether for leisure, work, or personal activities.
Could the reflexive pronoun nos be placed before the verb instead of attached after it, and if so, what would change?
Yes, it is possible to place the reflexive pronoun before the verb (resulting in “nós nos levantamos cedo”). However, in European Portuguese’s affirmative statements, the norm is to use enclisis by attaching the pronoun to the end of the verb (as in “levantamo‐nos”). Placing the pronoun before the verb (proclisis) is more common in negative sentences or specific constructions and would sound less natural in this affirmative context.