Breakdown of A despensa da minha casa está cheia de comida, mas ainda quero comprar mais.
minha
my
de
of
a casa
the house
querer
to want
estar
to be
mas
but
comprar
to buy
ainda
still
mais
more
a despensa
the pantry
cheio
full
a comida
the food
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Questions & Answers about A despensa da minha casa está cheia de comida, mas ainda quero comprar mais.
What does despensa mean in this sentence?
Despensa translates to pantry in English. It refers specifically to a storage area in a house where food is kept, distinguishing it from other types of storage like cabinets.
What is the function of the contraction da in "a despensa da minha casa"?
Da is a contraction of de (of) and a (the). In this context, it shows possession, meaning "of my house" or "in my house," linking the pantry to the speaker’s home.
How would you translate "está cheia de comida" into English and why is the structure important?
It translates as "is full of food." The structure is important because está is the present form of estar (used for states or conditions), cheia is the feminine adjective matching despensa (which is feminine), and de comida means "of food."
What does "mas ainda quero comprar mais" mean, and what nuances does it add to the sentence?
It means "but I still want to buy more." The word mas introduces a contrast, indicating that despite the pantry already being full, the speaker’s desire to purchase additional food persists. Ainda (still) emphasizes that ongoing desire.
Why is minha used with casa in this sentence, and how does it agree with the noun?
Minha means "my" and is the correct feminine possessive form to agree with casa, which is a feminine noun in Portuguese. This agreement is essential in Portuguese grammar for clarity and correctness.
How does the sentence structure reflect typical Portuguese word order and possessive constructions?
The sentence uses a common structure in Portuguese by placing the noun first (a despensa) followed by a possessive phrase (da minha casa) to indicate ownership. Additionally, the descriptive clause (está cheia de comida) follows, and the coordinating conjunction (mas) introduces a contrasting idea. This order emphasizes the relationship between the place and its contents before introducing the speaker's additional intention.