Breakdown of Depois do jantar, eu deito-me para descansar.
eu
I
descansar
to rest
o jantar
the dinner
depois de
after
para
to
deitar-se
to lie down
Questions & Answers about Depois do jantar, eu deito-me para descansar.
What does "Depois do jantar" mean, and why is "do" used instead of "de o"?
"Depois do jantar" translates to "After dinner." The word "do" is a contraction of the preposition "de" (meaning "of" or "from") and the masculine definite article "o" (meaning "the"). In Portuguese, it is common to contract these two words into "do" for smoother pronunciation and writing.
Why is the reflexive pronoun "me" attached to the verb in "eu deito-me", and what does the full expression mean?
The phrase comes from the reflexive verb "deitar-se", which means "to lie down." In this form, "deito" is the first person singular of "deitar" and the reflexive pronoun "me" indicates that the subject is performing the action on him/herself. So "eu deito-me" means "I lie down" (or "I go to bed"). In affirmative declarative sentences like this, it is common in European Portuguese to attach the pronoun to the end of the verb (a rule called enclisis).
Can the reflexive pronoun be placed before the verb instead of being attached, and how would that change the sentence?
Yes, the reflexive pronoun can be placed before the conjugated verb, a placement known as proclisis. In that case, the sentence would be "Depois do jantar, eu me deito para descansar." Both "eu deito-me" and "eu me deito" are grammatically correct, though the attached form is very typical in European Portuguese for affirmative declarative sentences.
What is the function of "para descansar" in the sentence?
"Para descansar" means "to rest" or "in order to rest." It indicates the purpose of the action described by "deito-me." The preposition "para" is used to introduce an infinitive that expresses the purpose or intent behind the action. In this context, it shows that the speaker lies down with the aim of resting.
Is it necessary to include the subject "eu" in the sentence, given that the verb form already indicates the subject?
Although the verb "deito" clearly indicates the first person singular, including the subject "eu" is optional in Portuguese. However, adding the subject can enhance clarity or provide emphasis. In this sentence, saying "eu deito-me" explicitly reinforces that "I" am the one performing the action, which can be particularly useful in both spoken and written communication.
More from this lesson
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“What's the best way to learn Portuguese grammar?”
Portuguese grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.
Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor
Start learning PortugueseMaster Portuguese — from Depois do jantar, eu deito-me para descansar to fluency
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.
- ✓ Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
- ✓ Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
- ✓ Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
- ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions