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Questions & Answers about Falta pão na cozinha.
What does falta mean in this sentence?
Falta is the third-person singular form of the verb faltar, meaning “to be lacking” or “to be missing.” In Falta pão na cozinha, it indicates that bread is missing or there is a shortage of bread in the kitchen.
Why is the verb falta in the singular form instead of a plural form?
The verb agrees with the noun that follows it. Since pão (bread) is singular, the singular form falta is used. If the noun were plural—say pães—the sentence would be Faltam pães na cozinha.
How does this construction compare to the English expression “There is no bread in the kitchen”?
While both sentences express the idea of an absence, the Portuguese construction uses faltar to indicate that something is lacking. Unlike the English existential sentence “There is no…,” the Portuguese version directly states that bread is missing without using a dummy subject.
What is the function of na cozinha in the sentence?
Na cozinha specifies the location where the bread is missing. It is a contraction of em (in) and a cozinha (the kitchen), telling us that the shortage of bread is specific to the kitchen.
Can this sentence be rephrased in another way while keeping the same meaning?
Yes, a common alternative is Não há pão na cozinha, which literally translates to “There is no bread in the kitchen.” Both forms are widely used in everyday Portuguese to indicate the absence of an item.
Is it acceptable to use the progressive form está faltando in this context?
Absolutely. You could also say Está faltando pão na cozinha to emphasize the ongoing state of bread being absent. Both forms are correct; Falta pão na cozinha is more succinct, while Está faltando pão na cozinha adds a nuance of a current process.