Eu atravesso a ponte com o Pedro.

I cross the bridge with Pedro.

Breakdown of Eu atravesso a ponte com o Pedro.

• eu: I
• Pedro: Pedro
• com: with
• atravessar: to cross
• a ponte: the bridge

Questions & Answers about Eu atravesso a ponte com o Pedro.

What does atravesso mean in this sentence?

Atravesso is the first person singular present tense form of the verb atravessar, which means "to cross." In the sentence, it indicates that I cross something—in this case, a bridge.

Why is the definite article a used in a ponte?

In Portuguese, nouns are typically preceded by definite articles when referring to specific objects. Here, a ponte translates to "the bridge," with a serving as the feminine definite article that marks the bridge as a specific, known entity.

What does the phrase com o Pedro mean and how is it used?

The phrase com o Pedro means "with Pedro." The preposition com translates to "with," and o Pedro uses the masculine definite article o before the name. This is a common practice in Portuguese, especially in informal or familiar contexts, to indicate accompaniment or association.

Why is there an article before Pedro when in English we simply say Pedro?

In Portuguese, it is customary to use definite articles before personal names in many contexts. So, o Pedro is equivalent to just Pedro in English, with the article reflecting a stylistic or cultural norm rather than altering the meaning of the name in the sentence.

Is there a difference between atravessar and cruzar, and why is atravessar used here?

Both atravessar and cruzar can mean "to cross," but there can be subtle differences. Atravessar is often used to emphasize the action of moving from one side to the other (for example, crossing a bridge or street), making it a natural choice in this context. While cruzar is also understood, atravessar clearly conveys the intended action of physically crossing the bridge.

Why is the subject Eu included at the beginning, even though the verb form already implies who is acting?

Although the verb conjugation in Portuguese can imply the subject, including Eu (meaning "I") adds clarity and emphasis, especially for learners or in contexts where avoiding ambiguity is important. It reinforces who is performing the action and aligns with common sentence structures in Portuguese.