Breakdown of Acho correto proibir o telemóvel, pois assim ninguém se distrai quando precisamos falar.
precisar
to need
quando
when
falar
to talk
pois
because
achar
to think
proibir
to forbid
o telemóvel
the cellphone
correto
correct
assim
that way
ninguém
nobody
distrair-se
to get distracted
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Questions & Answers about Acho correto proibir o telemóvel, pois assim ninguém se distrai quando precisamos falar.
What does "acho correto" mean in this sentence?
It means "I think it's right" or "I believe it is correct." The speaker is expressing a personal opinion about the action mentioned later in the sentence.
Why is the infinitive "proibir" used after "acho correto"?
In Portuguese, it's common to use the structure "achar + adjective + infinitive" to express opinions about actions. So "acho correto proibir o telemóvel" translates to "I think it's right to forbid the mobile phone."
What is the meaning of "telemóvel" and how does it relate to regional vocabulary?
"Telemóvel" is the term used in Portugal for a mobile phone or cell phone. In Brazil, you would likely hear "celular" instead. It’s an important vocabulary difference when learning Portuguese from Portugal.
What does the word "pois" indicate in this sentence?
"Pois" is a conjunction that introduces a reason or explanation. It works similarly to "because" or "for" in English, linking the speaker's opinion to the justification provided in the next clause.
What role does "assim" play in the sentence?
"Assim" means "in this way" or "thus." It explains that by prohibiting the mobile phone, a specific consequence is achieved—the prevention of distraction.
Why is the reflexive pronoun "se" used in "ninguém se distrai"?
In Portuguese, many verbs that describe actions affecting the subject use a reflexive pronoun. Here, "distraír-se" (to get distracted) requires "se" when referring to the subject. "Ninguém se distrai" means "nobody gets distracted."
How is the clause "quando precisamos falar" structured, and what does it mean?
The clause breaks down as follows: "quando" means "when," "precisamos" is the first person plural form of "precisar" meaning "we need," and "falar" means "to speak." Altogether, it means "when we need to speak," indicating the situation in which distractions should be avoided.