Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): Eu não bebo chá, mas sim café.

Mas sim is used to introduce an affirmative alternative that directly contrasts with the negated statement. Instead of simply saying mas (but), adding sim (indeed/yes) emphasizes that, while the speaker does not drink tea, they do drink coffee. It carries the nuance of “but rather” in English.

Why is the verb bebo used without being repeated in the second part of the sentence?

Bebo is the first person singular present-tense form of the verb beber (to drink), which already appears in the negative clause. In Portuguese, once the action is established, it’s common to use ellipsis—omitting the repeated verb in the contrasting clause—since the meaning remains clear from the context.

How is negation formed in this sentence, and why is não placed before bebo?

Portuguese forms negation by placing não immediately before the verb. In Eu não bebo chá, não negates bebo, clearly indicating that the action of drinking tea does not occur. This placement is standard and essential for conveying a negative meaning.

What role does the comma before mas sim play in this sentence?

The comma separates two contrasting ideas. It marks a pause between the negated statement (Eu não bebo chá) and the corrective or clarifying statement (mas sim café). This punctuation improves clarity by signaling to the reader that a contrasting, affirmative alternative is being introduced.

Is the structure mas sim common in Portuguese, and can it be used in other contexts?

Yes, the mas sim construction is common in European Portuguese and is often used to emphasize an affirmative alternative following a negated idea. While it’s frequently seen when contrasting choices (such as tea versus coffee), similar structures can apply in other situations where an immediate correction or alternative is being highlighted.

How does this sentence mirror the way we might express a similar idea in English?

In English, the sentence could be rendered as I don't drink tea, but rather coffee. The negative statement is immediately followed by a contrasting affirmation. Both languages use a two-part structure to reject one option while confirming another, though Portuguese uses the specific phrase mas sim to enhance the contrast.