Eu recebo um presente inesperado.

I receive an unexpected gift.

Breakdown of Eu recebo um presente inesperado.

• eu: I
• um: a
• receber: to receive
• o presente: the gift
• inesperado: unexpected

Questions & Answers about Eu recebo um presente inesperado.

What is the sentence structure of Eu recebo um presente inesperado, and how does it compare to English word order?

The sentence follows a subject–verb–object (SVO) structure, which is very similar to English. Eu (I) is the subject, recebo (receive) is the verb, and um presente inesperado (an unexpected gift) is the object. Recognizing this familiar order can help you see how actions are typically expressed in Portuguese.

What can you tell me about the verb recebo, its conjugation, and its usage in this sentence?

Recebo is the first person singular present tense form of the regular -er verb receber, meaning “to receive.” It translates directly to “I receive” in English. Understanding this conjugation is important because it shows you how to form present tense verbs in Portuguese using a pattern common to many -er verbs.

Why is the indefinite article um used before presente, and what does it imply?

In Portuguese, um is the indefinite article equivalent to “a” or “an” in English. It’s used here to indicate that the noun presente is singular and unspecified. Thus, um presente inesperado means “an unexpected gift,” referring to one instance of a non-specific gift.

What is the role of the adjective inesperado in this sentence, and why does it follow the noun?

Inesperado is an adjective that describes the noun presente, meaning “unexpected.” In Portuguese, adjectives frequently come after the noun they modify when describing inherent qualities or characteristics. This placement is typical and mirrors phrases like “a gift that is unexpected” in English.

Is it acceptable to change the position of inesperado in the sentence, and would doing so affect the meaning?

While adjectives in Portuguese can sometimes be moved before the noun for emphasis or stylistic reasons—resulting in phrases like um inesperado presente—the standard and neutral form is to place inesperado after presente. Changing the position might subtly shift the emphasis or nuance, but both placements are generally acceptable depending on the context.