Breakdown of Eu caminho no trilho com a Maria.
eu
I
Maria
Maria
em
in
com
with
caminhar
to walk
o trilho
the trail
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Questions & Answers about Eu caminho no trilho com a Maria.
What does the contraction “no” mean in this sentence?
“No” is a contraction of the preposition em (“in/on”) and the masculine definite article o (“the”). Since “trilho” is a masculine noun, the phrase “em o trilho” becomes “no trilho,” meaning “in/on the trail.”
Why is the article “a” used before “Maria” when referring to a person’s name?
In European Portuguese it is common to include the definite article before first names in informal or everyday conversation. Thus, “com a Maria” translates simply as “with Maria.” This usage is grammatically acceptable, even though English typically omits the article.
What is the function of “Eu” in the sentence, and is it necessary?
“Eu” is the subject pronoun meaning “I.” Although Portuguese verb conjugations (like the verb form caminho) already indicate the first person singular, including “Eu” can add clarity or emphasis. It is optional but perfectly acceptable.
What tense and conjugation is used in the verb “caminho”?
The verb caminho is the first person singular form of the regular verb caminhar in the present tense. It translates to “I walk” or “I am walking,” indicating an action occurring at the present time.
How does each word of the sentence translate into English?
Breaking it down:
• Eu means “I.”
• caminho means “walk” (first person singular present form of "caminhar").
• no is a contraction of “em” + “o”, meaning “in/on the.”
• trilho means “trail.”
• com means “with.”
• a Maria means “Maria” (with the definite article, as is common in European Portuguese).
Altogether, the sentence translates as “I walk on the trail with Maria.”
Are there any regional differences I should be aware of with this sentence in other Portuguese varieties?
Yes. While the structure “Eu caminho no trilho com a Maria” is standard in European Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese might differ slightly. For example, Brazilians are less likely to use the definite article before personal names, so you might hear “com Maria” instead of “com a Maria.” Additionally, the word “trilho” might be less common in Brazil, where “trilha” is often preferred to mean “trail.” These are subtle differences in vocabulary and usage, but the overall meaning remains the same.