Breakdown of Eu vou ao mercado, por exemplo, para comprar pão.
eu
I
o pão
the bread
ir
to go
comprar
to buy
o mercado
the market
para
to
por exemplo
for example
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Questions & Answers about Eu vou ao mercado, por exemplo, para comprar pão.
What does the contraction ao in “Eu vou ao mercado” mean and how is it formed?
Ao is a contraction of the preposition a (meaning “to”) and the masculine definite article o (meaning “the”). In Portuguese, when you indicate movement toward a masculine singular place (like mercado), you combine the two. So “Eu vou ao mercado” translates as “I am going to the market.”
Why is por exemplo included in the sentence, and why is it set off by commas?
Por exemplo means “for example.” It is used as an aside to indicate that what follows is just one instance or illustration—here, buying bread. The commas help separate this interjected phrase from the main structure of the sentence, clarifying that it adds extra information rather than forming part of the core statement.
What is the role of the phrase para comprar pão in this sentence?
The phrase para comprar pão specifies the purpose of going to the market. In Portuguese, using para followed by an infinitive (in this case, comprar, meaning “to buy”) is a common way to express why an action is being performed. So it tells you that the purpose of going to the market is to buy bread.
Is it necessary to include the subject Eu in Portuguese sentences like this one?
No, it isn’t strictly necessary because the verb vou already indicates the first person singular. Portuguese often omits subject pronouns when the context is clear. However, including Eu can add emphasis or clarity, especially for learners or in more formal speech.
What tense is used in “Eu vou ao mercado” and how does it relate to the English future tense?
The verb vou is in the present tense, but it can function as a near-future form. In Portuguese, the present tense is often used to indicate scheduled or imminent actions, much like the English “I am going to…” Although it’s the present tense, in this context it implies a future action (going to the market).