Breakdown of Apesar de ser feriado, o barulho na rua não me deixa relaxar completamente.
ser
to be
em
in
não
not
me
me
a rua
the street
apesar de
even though
o feriado
the holiday
o barulho
the noise
deixar
to let
relaxar
to relax
completamente
completely
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Questions & Answers about Apesar de ser feriado, o barulho na rua não me deixa relaxar completamente.
What does "apesar de ser feriado" mean, and how is it constructed?
It means "despite it being a holiday". The phrase is built with the subordinating conjunction "apesar de" (meaning "despite") followed by the infinitive "ser" (to be) and the noun "feriado" (holiday), forming a clause that sets up a contrast or unexpected situation.
How should the main clause "o barulho na rua não me deixa relaxar completamente" be understood?
It translates to "the noise on the street doesn't let me relax completely". Here, "o barulho na rua" (the noise on the street) is the subject, "não me deixa" (doesn't let me) expresses the negated action, and "relaxar completamente" (relax completely) explains what the speaker is unable to do.
Why is the adverb "completamente" placed at the end of the sentence?
In Portuguese, adverbs like "completamente" are often positioned after the verb they modify or at the end of the sentence to emphasize the extent of the action. In this case, it stresses that the speaker isn’t able to relax in full measure.
Why is the infinitive "ser" used in "ser feriado" instead of using "estar"?
The verb "ser" is used to indicate a more inherent or permanent quality—in this context, that the day is fundamentally recognized as a holiday. "Estar" would imply a temporary or changeable state, which is not appropriate when describing something as fixed as a holiday.
How does the negation work in the phrase "não me deixa"?
Negation in Portuguese is expressed by placing "não" directly before the verb. In "não me deixa", "não" negates "deixa" (lets or allows), meaning that the action (letting the speaker relax) simply does not occur.
What is the function of the prepositional phrase "na rua" in the sentence?
The prepositional phrase "na rua" (on the street) specifies where the noise comes from. It acts as a location modifier, adding context to the subject "o barulho" and helping the listener understand the source of the disturbance.
Can you explain the sentence’s overall structure?
Certainly. The sentence begins with an adverbial clause, "apesar de ser feriado", which sets up an unexpected condition. It is followed by the main clause, "o barulho na rua não me deixa relaxar completamente", which describes the actual situation—the noise prevents the speaker from fully relaxing. This structure underlines the contrast between what one might expect on a holiday and the speaker’s experience.
What type of construction is "não me deixa relaxar"?
This is a causative construction where "deixa" (lets or allows) is used with the infinitive "relaxar". It expresses that something (the noise) prevents or hinders the possibility of relaxation. The speaker is indirectly affected by the noise, which stops them from engaging in the action of relaxing.
Is there any nuance regarding the placement of commas in such sentences?
Yes. When an adverbial clause like "apesar de ser feriado" precedes the main clause, it is common to follow it with a comma, as seen in this sentence. This comma helps distinguish the contrasting condition from the main statement, although punctuation rules can sometimes vary with style and context.