Breakdown of O senhor sabe se há algum alojamento disponível perto da praia?
de
of
o senhor
you
se
if
perto
near
saber
to know
haver
to exist
a praia
the beach
o alojamento
the accommodation
algum
any
disponível
available
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Questions & Answers about O senhor sabe se há algum alojamento disponível perto da praia?
What does O senhor mean in this sentence, and why is it used?
O senhor is a formal and respectful way to address someone, roughly equivalent to Sir or Mr. in English. Its use here indicates that the speaker is either being polite or addressing someone in a formal context.
How does the phrase sabe se há function in this sentence?
The phrase sabe se há combines sabe (meaning do you know) with an indirect question introduced by se (meaning if) and há (meaning there is). In English, this construction translates to "Do you know if there is." It embeds one question inside another without changing the word order.
What does the word alojamento refer to?
Alojamento means accommodation or lodging. In Portugal, it generally refers to any place where someone can stay, such as a hotel, guesthouse, or rental property.
What is the meaning of disponível in this context?
Disponível means available. It implies that the lodging is free or ready to be booked and used by someone.
Why is the sentence structured as an indirect question, and how does it affect the word order?
In Portuguese, when an indirect question is embedded within a statement—as in sabe se há algum alojamento disponível...—the sentence maintains a standard statement word order rather than inverting the subject and verb as in a direct question. This structure is common in formal or polite inquiries and makes the sentence clear while respecting grammatical conventions.
What is the significance of using há instead of tem in this sentence?
Há is the impersonal and more formal way to express existence (similar to there is/are in English), whereas tem is more informal. Using há aligns with the formal tone set by O senhor, making the entire sentence appropriately polite and respectful.