Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): Este casaco é bastante antigo, mas ainda vale a pena usá-lo em dias frios. - This coat is quite old, but it is still worth wearing on cold days.

Bastante means quite or fairly. In this sentence, it intensifies antigo (old), suggesting that the coat is noticeably or considerably old.

What does the phrase vale a pena signify?

Vale a pena is an idiomatic expression that means "is worth it" or "is worthwhile." Here, it indicates that despite the coat’s age, using it on cold days remains beneficial.

Why is the pronoun attached to the verb in usá-lo?

In Portuguese, especially in European usage, object pronouns are often attached to the end of the verb. Usá-lo combines the infinitive usar (to use) with the pronoun -lo, referring back to casaco, making it clear that the coat is the object being used.

What role does the prepositional phrase em dias frios play, and why is em used?

The phrase em dias frios specifies the context in which the coat is useful — namely, on cold days. The preposition em functions similarly to "in" or "on" in English, setting the condition for when the action (using the coat) applies.

Are there any differences in how these constructions might be handled in European Portuguese versus Brazilian Portuguese?

Yes, there are subtle differences. For instance, while both variants use casaco and vale a pena, European Portuguese more strictly attaches object pronouns to the verb (as seen in usá-lo). Brazilian Portuguese might sometimes opt for different clitic placements or even alternative vocabulary in informal contexts, though the overall meaning remains the same.