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Questions & Answers about Eu trabalho no computador.
What does the sentence Eu trabalho no computador translate to in English?
It translates as I work on the computer. This means that the speaker does their work using a computer.
How is the contraction no formed in this sentence, and what does it signify?
In Portuguese, no is a contraction created by combining the preposition em (which can mean in or on) with the masculine definite article o (meaning the). So, no computador literally translates as in the computer, but in context it’s understood as on the computer. This contraction is common in Portuguese when a preposition and an article come together.
What is the form and meaning of the verb trabalho in this sentence?
The word trabalho is the first person singular present tense form of the verb trabalhar (to work). It directly translates as I work, with the subject Eu (I) explicitly stated. The verb form clearly indicates who is doing the work.
Why is the noun computador associated with the contraction no in this sentence?
Because computador is a masculine noun in Portuguese, it takes the masculine definite article o. When the preposition em is used with o, it contracts into no. This correctly communicates the idea of working on the computer.
Is the structure Eu trabalho no computador applicable in both European and Brazilian Portuguese?
Yes, the structure is universally used and understood in both European and Brazilian Portuguese. While there might be minor regional differences in vocabulary or expressions in other contexts, this sentence is grammatically correct and common in both varieties.