Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): O Pedro prefere carne de frango, mas hoje vou experimentar outra receita. - Pedro prefers chicken meat, but today I will try another recipe.

In European Portuguese, it’s common to use the definite article before proper names, especially in informal or familiar contexts. O Pedro emphasizes that you’re referring to a specific, well-known individual, much like saying “the Pedro” in a particular context.

How is the verb prefere conjugated, and what does it tell us about the subject?

Prefere is the third person singular form of the verb preferir, which means “to prefer.” It agrees with O Pedro, indicating that Pedro is the one who has the preference mentioned in the sentence.

What does the phrase carne de frango mean, and why isn’t it just frango?

Carne de frango literally translates to “chicken meat.” In Portuguese, specifying carne (meat) alongside frango (chicken) makes it clear that the reference is to the meat itself rather than to the animal or another aspect of chicken.

What function does the word mas serve in this sentence?

Mas is a coordinating conjunction that means “but.” It is used here to join two contrasting ideas—the fact that Pedro prefers chicken meat and the speaker’s intention to try a different recipe today.

Can you explain the construction hoje vou experimentar and the role of vou in it?

The phrase hoje vou experimentar means “today I am going to try.” Vou is the first person singular of ir (“to go”) and, when combined with an infinitive (in this case, experimentar), it expresses a future intention, similar to the “going to” future in English.

Why is the adjective outra used with receita, and how does gender agreement work here?

Receita is a feminine noun, so the adjective that modifies it must also be in the feminine form. Outra is the feminine form of outro, meaning “another.” Thus, outra receita correctly follows the rules of gender agreement in Portuguese, meaning “another recipe.”