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Questions & Answers about A festa local é divertida.
Why is the adjective divertida in its feminine form?
The adjective divertida is in the feminine form because it agrees with the noun festa, which is feminine. In Portuguese, adjectives must match the gender (and number) of the noun they modify.
What does the adjective local mean, and why is it placed after the noun festa?
Local means "local" in English—indicating that the party is held in a specific area or is associated with a local community. In Portuguese, adjectives that describe qualities or characteristics typically follow the noun, which is why we say festa local.
Why is the verb é used instead of está in this sentence?
Portuguese uses two verbs for "to be": ser and estar. É (from ser) is used for inherent, defining, or permanent characteristics. Since describing the party as fun is seen as an inherent quality rather than a temporary state, é is the correct choice over está.
How does the definite article a function in this sentence?
The article a means "the" and is used to refer to a specific party. It also agrees in gender and number with festa (feminine and singular), ensuring consistency throughout the sentence.
How does adjective placement in Portuguese differ from English in this example?
In English, adjectives usually come before the noun (for example, the fun local party). In Portuguese, adjectives generally follow the noun—hence festa local is the standard order. Although sometimes adjectives can be positioned before the noun for emphasis or stylistic reasons, the typical order is noun followed by adjective.
Can adjectives in Portuguese appear before the noun, and would that change the meaning?
Yes, some adjectives in Portuguese can be placed before the noun. When they do, it can add emphasis or subtly alter the nuance of the description. However, for describing a straightforward, inherent characteristic like the fun nature of a party, placing the adjective after the noun (or after the linking verb) is more common and grammatically standard.