Eu quase perdi o carro.

I almost lost the car.

Breakdown of Eu quase perdi o carro.

• eu: I
• o carro: the car
• perder: to lose
• quase: almost

Questions & Answers about Eu quase perdi o carro.

What does the adverb quase mean in this sentence?

It means almost. Quase shows that the action of the verb perdi nearly happened, but ultimately it did not.

Why is the definite article o used before carro instead of a possessive adjective like meu?

In Portuguese, it’s common to use definite articles with nouns when the context already makes the subject clear. Here, o carro (“the car”) is understood by both the speaker and the listener without needing to specify ownership. You can add meu (making it o meu carro) if you want to emphasize that the car is yours, but it isn’t required in contexts where this is already clear.

Could the sentence be translated as “I almost missed the car” or “I almost lost the car”? What nuance is implied?

Yes, perdi can be interpreted as either “missed” or “lost” depending on context. If the sentence refers to narrowly failing to catch or board the car (similar to missing a bus), “I almost missed the car” fits. Alternatively, if it means you nearly came to a mishap that would have resulted in losing the car (for example, through an accident or a near theft), “I almost lost the car” would be appropriate. Usually, context clarifies which meaning is intended.

What tense is perdi, and how does it relate to the subject Eu?

Perdi is the simple past (preterite) form of the verb perder used with the first person singular (Eu). It indicates that the near-incident of losing or missing the car took place in the past.

How does the placement of quase affect the meaning of the sentence?

Placing quase directly before the verb perdi clearly modifies that action, emphasizing that the event (losing or missing the car) was very close to happening. Its placement is essential for conveying that the outcome was narrowly avoided.

Would including a possessive change the meaning of the sentence significantly? For example, what changes if we say Eu quase perdi o meu carro?

Adding meu (as in o meu carro) makes the ownership explicit by indicating “my car.” While the overall meaning remains similar, it emphasizes that the car in question is personally owned. In many everyday contexts, though, the use of the definite article alone (i.e., o carro) is sufficient because the car's identity is clear from context.