Breakdown of O Pedro mantém-se calmo depois do exame.
Pedro
Pedro
o exame
the exam
calmo
calm
manter-se
to stay
depois
after
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Questions & Answers about O Pedro mantém-se calmo depois do exame.
What does mantém-se mean in this sentence, and why is the reflexive pronoun se used?
Mantém-se comes from the reflexive verb manter-se, which translates to “to remain” or “to keep oneself.” In this sentence, it means that Pedro remains calm. The pronoun se shows that the subject is acting on himself—that is, Pedro is keeping himself calm—something that English expresses without an explicit reflexive pronoun.
Why is the name written as O Pedro instead of just Pedro?
In Portuguese (Portugal), it is customary to use a definite article before a person’s first name in many contexts. So, O Pedro is a typical way to refer to Pedro formally or in everyday speech. This is quite different from English, where we simply use the person’s name without an article.
What is the function of the contraction do in depois do exame?
In the phrase depois do exame, do is a contraction of de + o. It connects depois (“after”) with exame. Thus, depois do exame literally means “after the exam.” This contraction is common in Portuguese and helps keep the sentence fluid.
Which tense and mood is the verb mantém in, and how does it relate to the sentence’s meaning?
The verb mantém is in the present indicative, third person singular form. It indicates a current or habitual state—in this case, that Pedro remains calm after the exam. Present indicative is used here much like the simple present in English.
How does the placement of the reflexive pronoun se work in this sentence compared to English reflexive constructions?
In Portuguese, when using a reflexive verb in an affirmative sentence, the reflexive pronoun is typically attached to the end of the conjugated verb (a process called enclisis). So instead of saying “Pedro remains himself calm” (which wouldn’t make sense in English), mantém-se follows the grammatical norm in Portuguese. In English, we simply say “remains calm” without a reflexive pronoun, highlighting a key structural difference between the two languages.