ELONIO
Log inSign up

O desafio é difícil.

O desafio é difícil.
The challenge is difficult.
FromLesson 10inHardcore Portuguese (Portugal)

Breakdown of O desafio é difícil.

ser
to be
difícil
difficult
o desafio
the challenge

Questions & Answers about O desafio é difícil.

What does each word in the sentence mean?
O is the masculine definite article meaning "the"; desafio means "challenge"; é is the third-person singular present of "ser" (meaning "is"); and difícil means "difficult".
Why is the definite article "O" used before desafio?
Portuguese nouns have gender. Since desafio is a masculine noun, the corresponding definite article is "o". This is similar to choosing "the" for a specific noun in English, but the form changes according to gender in Portuguese.
What role does the verb "é" play in the sentence?
"É" is the third-person singular form of the verb ser, which acts as a linking verb. It connects the subject "O desafio" with its predicate adjective "difícil", forming a copular (or equational) sentence that describes the inherent quality of the challenge.
Does the adjective "difícil" change its form depending on gender or number?
No, difícil is an invariable adjective in Portuguese. Whether the noun it describes is masculine or feminine, singular or plural, difícil remains the same.
What is the grammatical structure of the sentence "O desafio é difícil"?
The sentence follows a simple structure: it has a subject (O desafio), the linking verb (é), and a predicate adjective (difícil) that describes the subject. This is a typical example of a copular sentence in Portuguese.
Can you provide a similar sentence using the same structure in Portuguese?
Yes, for example, "A tarefa é complicada" means "The task is complicated." Here, a is the feminine definite article used with tarefa (a feminine noun), é remains the linking verb, and complicada is the adjective that agrees in gender with tarefa.
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“What's the best way to learn Portuguese grammar?”
Portuguese grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.

Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor

Start learning Portuguese

Master Portuguese — from O desafio é difícil to fluency

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.

  • ✓Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
  • ✓Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
  • ✓Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
  • ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions
Start learning Portuguese→