Breakdown of Sábado é um dia de descanso.
ser
to be
um
a
o dia
the day
de
of
o sábado
Saturday
o descanso
the rest
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Questions & Answers about Sábado é um dia de descanso.
Why is there no definite article before Sábado?
In Portuguese, when referring to days of the week in a general sense—as in stating a characteristic of Saturday—the definite article is often omitted. "Sábado" here names the day generally, similar to how we say "Saturday is a day of rest" in English without needing a "the."
What does the accent mark on Sábado indicate?
The accent on the "á" in Sábado shows that the stress falls on the first syllable (SÁ-ba-do), ensuring correct pronunciation. It helps differentiate the word from others without the accent and guides learners toward proper speech.
What is the function of "é" in the sentence?
"É" is the third person singular form of the verb "ser," which means "to be." In this sentence, it functions as a linking verb—connecting the subject "Sábado" to the complement "um dia de descanso," much like the English "is" does.
How is the phrase "um dia de descanso" structured, and why is "de" used?
The phrase "um dia de descanso" breaks down into three parts: "um" (the indefinite article "a"), "dia" (day), and "de descanso" (of rest). The preposition "de" is used to link "dia" with "descanso," indicating a defining characteristic of the day. This construction is similar to the English expression "a day of rest" and is a common way in Portuguese to express purpose or quality.
Why don’t we use an adjective like "descansante" instead of "de descanso"?
Using "de descanso" emphasizes that the day is meant for or belongs to the purpose of resting, which is an idiomatic expression in Portuguese. An adjective like "descansante" (meaning "restful") would describe the nature of the day rather than its intended function. The expressed idea here is that Saturday is designated as a day to rest, not merely a day that produces a restful feeling.
Is this sentence structure typical in European Portuguese?
Yes, the sentence follows a very standard structure in Portuguese: subject ("Sábado") + linking verb ("é") + complement ("um dia de descanso"). This straightforward construction is used to state general facts or characteristics and mirrors the pattern used in English.