Breakdown of A minha escrivaninha antiga pertenceu à minha avó.
minha
my
a
to
antigo
old
a escrivaninha
the desk
pertencer
to belong
a avó
the grandmother
Questions & Answers about A minha escrivaninha antiga pertenceu à minha avó.
What does the sentence “A minha escrivaninha antiga pertenceu à minha avó” translate to in English?
It translates to “My antique desk belonged to my grandmother.” The sentence tells us that the desk, which is described as antique, was owned by the speaker’s grandmother in the past.
Why is the possessive adjective "minha" used in this sentence instead of "meu"?
"Minha" is used because the noun "escrivaninha" (desk) is feminine in Portuguese. Possessive adjectives must agree in gender with the noun they describe, which is why the feminine form "minha" (my) is appropriate instead of the masculine "meu".
What is the role of the adjective "antiga" in this sentence, and why is it placed after the noun?
"Antiga" means "old" or "antique." It functions as a descriptive adjective that tells us something about the desk’s age or style. In Portuguese, adjectives often follow the noun to provide a straightforward, factual description of its characteristics.
How is the contraction "à" in "à minha avó" formed, and why is it necessary here?
"À" is a contraction of the preposition "a" (meaning "to") and the definite article "a" (used here for feminine nouns). The verb "pertencer" (to belong) requires the preposition "a" when indicating possession. Since "avó" is a feminine noun preceded by an article, "a" + "a" contracts to "à".
What tense is the verb "pertenceu," and what does it indicate about the action described in the sentence?
"Pertenceu" is in the simple past tense. It indicates that the action of the desk belonging to the speaker’s grandmother occurred in the past and is complete, implying that the ownership is no longer current.
Why does the sentence begin with "A minha" instead of just "minha"?
In European Portuguese, it is common to include the definite article with possessive adjectives for clarity and specificity. Starting with "A minha" (the my) emphasizes that the speaker is referring to a particular desk, making the reference more definite than if only "minha" were used.
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