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Questions & Answers about O vizinho é simpático.
What is the purpose of the definite article O in the sentence "O vizinho é simpático"?
In Portuguese, O functions like the English the. It is a definite article used with masculine singular nouns. Here, it not only specifies that we are talking about a particular neighbor but also indicates that vizinho is masculine.
How is gender indicated in this sentence, and what changes would be needed if referring to a female neighbor?
Portuguese nouns and adjectives have gender. In "O vizinho é simpático," both vizinho (neighbor) and simpático (nice) are in their masculine forms. If you were referring to a female neighbor, you’d change them to a vizinha and simpática, resulting in "A vizinha é simpática."
What role does the verb é play in this sentence?
The verb é is the third person singular form of ser, which means "to be." It is used to describe essential or inherent qualities, like personality traits. So in this sentence, é connects the subject vizinho with the predicate adjective simpático to state that "the neighbor is nice."
Why is the adjective simpático placed after the verb é rather than directly modifying the noun?
In Portuguese, adjectives that describe inherent or permanent qualities typically appear as predicate adjectives following the verb ser. This structure is similar to English, where we say "The neighbor is nice" instead of "The nice neighbor." The adjective simpático is linked to the subject by the verb and serves to describe the neighbor’s character.
Are there any pronunciation or stress aspects I should be aware of with vizinho and simpático?
Yes. For vizinho, pay attention to the pronunciation of the "v" and "z" sounds—the "z" may sound like the "s" in measure in some dialects. With simpático, notice that the accent on the "á" indicates that the stress falls on that syllable. Listening to native speakers and practicing will help you get comfortable with these sounds and stress patterns.