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Questions & Answers about A reunião é formal.
What does "A reunião" literally translate to in English?
"A reunião" translates directly as "the meeting". The word reunião means meeting or gathering, and the article A is the feminine singular form of "the" in Portuguese.
Why is the verb "é" used here, and what does it tell us about its tense and meaning?
"É" is the third person singular form of the verb "ser" in the present tense. It indicates that the quality described (being formal) is seen as an inherent or defining characteristic of the meeting. In other words, the meeting is considered to have a permanent, established formality.
Why does the adjective "formal" not change form to match the feminine noun "reunião"?
In Portuguese, many adjectives do not change between masculine and feminine forms. Formal is one such adjective, so it remains the same regardless of whether it modifies a masculine noun or a feminine noun like reunião.
What role does the definite article "A" play in this sentence?
The article "A" is a feminine singular definite article. Its usage before reunião signals that the meeting being referenced is specific or identifiable. Essentially, it tells the listener that we are talking about a particular meeting known by context.
What is the difference between using "ser" and "estar" in Portuguese, and why is "ser" the correct choice here?
Portuguese uses "ser" for describing inherent, permanent, or defining attributes, whereas "estar" is used for temporary or changing conditions. Since describing the meeting as formal implies that formality is an essential and persistent quality, "ser" (here in the form "é") is the appropriate verb to use.