Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): O Pedro escolhe rota nova para o trabalho.

In European Portuguese it’s common to use the definite article before a given name to refer to someone familiar or known in context. Here, O Pedro means “Pedro” in a definitive way, similar to saying “that Pedro” or simply emphasizing his identity, even though in English we typically don’t include an article with a name.

What tense is the verb escolhe, and what does it tell us about Pedro’s action?

Escolhe is the present tense, third person singular form of the verb escolher (“to choose”). It indicates that Pedro is either habitually choosing or is in the process of choosing a new route, reflecting a current or general practice.

Why does the adjective nova appear after the noun rota rather than before it as it would in English?

In Portuguese, adjectives usually follow the noun they modify. Thus, rota nova directly translates to “new route” in English even though the adjective order is reversed. This is the standard word order in Portuguese.

Why is there no indefinite article (like uma) before rota nova? Wouldn’t it normally be uma rota nova?

While it is common to include an indefinite article (making it “uma rota nova”), its omission here can be attributed to stylistic or concise expression. In some contexts—especially in headlines, short statements, or informal speech—Portuguese speakers may drop the indefinite article to make the sentence more succinct. Both forms are acceptable depending on context.

What is the function of the phrase para o trabalho in this sentence?

The phrase para o trabalho is a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial modifier. It indicates the purpose or destination of Pedro’s choice, meaning that he selects the new route specifically for getting to work.