Breakdown of A minha amiga gosta de cerveja e pediu-me para comprá-la hoje.
hoje
today
minha
my
a amiga
the friend
gostar de
to like
e
and
comprar
to buy
para
to
me
me
pedir
to ask
a cerveja
the beer
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Questions & Answers about A minha amiga gosta de cerveja e pediu-me para comprá-la hoje.
Why do we say gosta de cerveja instead of just gosta cerveja?
In Portuguese, the verb gostar always requires the preposition de before the noun or pronoun that follows. This fixed structure means that gosta de cerveja literally translates to "likes beer."
How is the infinitive comprar modified into comprá-la, and what does the accent indicate?
When attaching a direct object pronoun to an infinitive in Portuguese (a process called enclisis), the pronoun is placed at the end of the verb. Here, la replaces a cerveja (beer), which is feminine, and the verb becomes comprá-la. The accent on comprá- helps maintain the original stress pattern of the verb after the pronoun is added.
What is the structure of pediu-me and why is the object pronoun attached with a hyphen?
In European Portuguese, object pronouns like me are often attached to the verb in affirmative sentences. Pediu-me is formed by combining pediu (the third-person singular past tense of pedir, meaning "asked") with the pronoun me (meaning "me"), connected by a hyphen. This enclitic placement is standard in such contexts.
Who is the implied subject in the clause pediu-me?
Although the subject is not explicitly mentioned with a pronoun, the verb pediu is conjugated in the third-person singular form. The context provided by A minha amiga (my friend) at the beginning of the sentence makes it clear that she is the one performing the action, so pediu-me means "she asked me."
Are there any general rules for pronoun placement in sentences like this in Portuguese?
Yes, Portuguese uses different pronoun placements based on sentence structure. In affirmative sentences without negative words or other factors, pronouns are typically attached to the end of the verb (enclisis)—as seen in pediu-me and comprá-la. However, when certain words (like negatives, interrogatives, or adverbs) come before the verb, the pronoun may appear before the verb (proclisis). Understanding these rules is key in mastering the nuances of Portuguese syntax.
Why is the adverb hoje placed at the end of the sentence? Can its position be changed?
The adverb hoje (today) specifies when the action happens and is naturally placed at the end of the sentence for clarity and flow in Portuguese. While its position can sometimes be shifted for emphasis or stylistic reasons, placing it at the end is common practice and keeps the sentence’s meaning clear and natural.