Questions & Answers about Eu aproximo-me da árvore.
What is the literal translation of "Eu aproximo-me da árvore" into English?
It literally translates as "I approach the tree." Note that while English simply uses "approach," Portuguese uses a reflexive verb construction.
Why is the reflexive pronoun "me" attached to the verb in this sentence?
The verb aproximar-se is inherently reflexive in Portuguese. The attached "me" shows that the subject is performing the action on itself—in this case, the act of approaching. This form is required even though English does not use a reflexive pronoun here.
Why is there a hyphen between "aproximo" and "me"?
In European Portuguese, when using an enclitic form (attaching the pronoun to the end of a conjugated verb), a hyphen is placed between the verb and the reflexive pronoun. Thus, "aproximo-me" is the correct form in this context.
What does the contraction "da" mean in this sentence?
"Da" is a contraction of the preposition "de" (meaning "from" or "of") and the definite article "a" (meaning "the"). It is used here because the verb aproximar-se requires the preposition "de" before the noun, and when combined with "a árvore", it becomes "da árvore."
Is it necessary to include the subject pronoun "Eu" even though the verb form already indicates the subject?
No, it isn’t strictly necessary. In Portuguese the subject pronoun is often omitted since the verb ending indicates the subject. However, including "Eu" can provide extra clarity or emphasis, especially for learners.
Can the reflexive pronoun be placed before the verb instead of attached with a hyphen?
While both placements can occur in Portuguese, in European Portuguese the enclitic form (with the pronoun attached to the verb) is standard in affirmative sentences. In Brazilian Portuguese or in different constructions, you might see the proclitic form (such as "Eu me aproximo da árvore"), but for this sentence in a European context, using "aproximo-me" is preferred.
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