Breakdown of Ela sente-se calma depois do jantar.
ela
she
o jantar
the dinner
depois de
after
calmo
calm
sentir-se
to feel
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Questions & Answers about Ela sente-se calma depois do jantar.
What does the sentence "Ela sente-se calma depois do jantar" mean?
It translates to “She feels calm after dinner.” The sentence shows that after having dinner, she experiences a state of calm.
Why is the reflexive pronoun se attached to the verb sente with a hyphen?
In Portuguese (Portugal), reflexive pronouns are typically attached to the conjugated verb with a hyphen in affirmative sentences. Here, sente-se indicates that the subject is both performing and receiving the action, meaning she is feeling a certain way herself.
Why is the adjective calma used instead of calmo?
Since the subject is “ela” (she), which is feminine, the adjective must also be in its feminine form. Calma is the feminine version of calmo, ensuring proper gender agreement.
What does the contraction do in depois do jantar represent?
The word do is a contraction of the preposition de and the masculine definite article o (meaning “of the” or “after the”). In this context, depois do jantar translates to “after dinner.”
When should I use the reflexive form of verbs like in sente-se?
Reflexive forms are used when the subject is affected by the action it performs. In this case, sente-se emphasizes that she feels the state of calm herself. Many Portuguese verbs have both non-reflexive and reflexive forms, and choosing the correct one depends on whether the action reflects back on the subject.