Questions & Answers about Minha meta é passar no exame.
What does the sentence Minha meta é passar no exame mean in English?
It translates as "My goal is to pass the exam." Here, minha meta means “my goal” and passar no exame means “to pass the exam.” The sentence expresses an objective or aim.
Why is the contraction no used before exame in this sentence?
In Portuguese, the preposition em (meaning “in” or “on”) combines with the masculine singular article o (“the”) to form no (em + o). Thus, passar no exame literally means “to pass in the exam” but is understood as “to pass the exam.” This contraction is common and grammatically necessary.
What is the structure of the sentence and how do its parts function?
The sentence is structured with minha meta as the subject, followed by the linking verb é (“is”), and then passar no exame as the predicate describing the goal. Notice that passar is in its infinitive form, which is typical when expressing objectives in Portuguese.
Why is the verb passar in the infinitive form rather than conjugated?
When expressing plans, goals, or objectives, Portuguese often uses the infinitive form to refer to an action. In this sentence, passar is used as an infinitive because it describes what the goal (meta) is—namely, the action of passing the exam. This is similar to using the "to" form in English (“to pass”).
Is there a difference between saying minha meta and meu objetivo in this context?
Both meta and objetivo can mean “goal” or “aim.” While they are often used interchangeably, meta sometimes implies a more personal or aspirational goal, whereas objetivo can have a slightly broader or more formal tone. In this sentence, minha meta emphasizes a personal target, though using meu objetivo would be understood similarly.
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