Eu divido o bolo com a minha amiga.

Breakdown of Eu divido o bolo com a minha amiga.

eu
I
minha
my
a amiga
the friend
o bolo
the cake
com
with
dividir
to divide
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Questions & Answers about Eu divido o bolo com a minha amiga.

What is the subject of the sentence and why is it explicitly stated in Portuguese?
The subject is Eu, which means I. In Portuguese, even though verb conjugations already indicate the subject, it is common—and often preferred—to explicitly state it for clarity, especially for learners.
What tense and person is indicated by the verb form divido?
Divido is the first-person singular present indicative form of the verb dividir. It shows that the action of dividing (or sharing) is carried out by the speaker in a current, habitual, or general sense.
Is dividir the correct verb for expressing "to share" in this context?
Yes, dividir is correctly used here. It literally means "to divide," but in contexts like this one it conveys the idea of sharing something equally, namely, the cake in this sentence.
Why is the definite article o used before bolo?
The definite article o in o bolo functions like the in English, indicating that a specific cake is being referred to—one that is already known or identifiable by both the speaker and the listener.
What is the purpose of the prepositional phrase com a minha amiga and why is the article a included?
The phrase com a minha amiga means with my friend. In European Portuguese, it is customary to include the definite article along with the possessive adjective, which is why a minha amiga is used. This construction sounds natural and emphasizes that a particular friend is being talked about.
What information about gender can be deduced from the nouns and adjectives in the sentence?
The noun amiga is feminine, and the possessive adjective minha agrees with it, indicating that the friend is female. Similarly, the noun bolo is masculine, as shown by the article o.
Is it necessary to always include the explicit subject Eu in Portuguese sentences like this one?
While Portuguese allows for subject omission—since the verb form divido already implies I—including Eu can add clarity, especially for learners who are still getting accustomed to the language’s verb conjugations and syntax.