Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): Eu quero partilhar esta ideia contigo, porque a acho importante. - I want to share this idea with you because I find it important.

The pronoun a refers back to esta ideia ("this idea"). In Portuguese, especially European Portuguese, object pronouns like this one (known as clitic pronouns) are positioned before the conjugated verb. Rather than repeating the noun, the pronoun takes its place, which makes the sentence more fluid.

What is the meaning of partilhar, and how does it compare to compartilhar?

Partilhar means "to share." In European Portuguese, partilhar is commonly used, particularly when referring to sharing thoughts, ideas, or feelings. In contrast, compartilhar is often preferred in Brazilian Portuguese for many contexts, though both can mean "to share." The choice between them may also subtly affect the nuance of what is being shared.

Why is contigo used instead of a form like "com você"?

In European Portuguese, contigo is the standard informal and direct way to say "with you" when addressing a single person. "Com você" is more common in Brazilian Portuguese or might be seen as slightly more formal in Portugal. Thus, using contigo aligns with regional and informal usage in Portugal.

Why is the subject Eu explicitly stated in the sentence, when often in Portuguese the subject is omitted?

In Portuguese, the verb conjugation usually indicates the subject, so it is common to omit the subject pronoun. However, in this sentence, Eu is explicitly stated to add emphasis or clarity—making it clear that "I" (the speaker) am the one who wants to share the idea.

What function does the conjunction porque serve in the sentence?

The conjunction porque introduces a reason or cause. Here, it connects the act of wanting to share the idea with the justification—that the speaker believes the idea is important. Essentially, it explains the motivation behind the action.

Is it common to place object pronouns like a before the conjugated verb in Portuguese?

Yes, especially in European Portuguese, it is standard to place clitic object pronouns before the conjugated verb in main clauses. This is a grammatical rule that helps signal the relationship between the verb and its object. In other contexts, such as with infinitives or gerunds, the pronoun might sometimes attach to the end of the verb, but in this sentence, the placement before the verb is correct.

How might this sentence be adapted if it were expressed in Brazilian Portuguese?

In Brazilian Portuguese, you might see a few changes. The verb partilhar may be replaced by compartilhar since the latter is more common in Brazil. Additionally, contigo would likely be replaced by com você. The resulting sentence might read: "Eu quero compartilhar essa ideia com você, porque acho que ela é importante." Notice also that in Brazilian Portuguese, it is common to add a relative clause like "que ela é" to explicitly include the subject in the second clause.