Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): Fumar é prejudicial à saúde e pode causar muitos problemas. - Smoking is harmful to your health and can cause many problems.

Fumar means “to smoke”. In Portuguese, the infinitive form can function as a noun. In this sentence, it serves as the subject, much like using the gerund in English to refer to the general activity of smoking.

What is the meaning of prejudicial in this sentence?

Prejudicial translates to “harmful” or “detrimental”. It is an adjective used here to describe the negative effect that smoking has on health.

Why is the contraction à used before saúde?

The contraction à is formed by combining the preposition “a” (meaning “to”) with the feminine definite article “a” (meaning “the”). In “à saúde”, it specifies the target of the adjective, indicating that smoking is harmful “to health.”

How is the phrase pode causar constructed, and what does it mean?

The phrase is made up of “pode”, the third-person singular form of “poder” meaning “can” or “is able to,” and “causar”, the infinitive form of “to cause.” Together, they mean “can cause.”

What does muitos problemas refer to in this context?

Muitos problemas translates to “many problems.” It suggests that smoking can lead to a variety of issues, primarily health-related complications, but it may also imply other adverse outcomes.

Is there a difference between saying “Fumar é prejudicial à saúde” and “Fumar prejudica a saúde”?

Yes, there is a subtle difference. “Fumar é prejudicial à saúde” uses a linking verb and an adjective (prejudicial) to describe smoking as inherently harmful, often lending a more formal or descriptive tone. On the other hand, “Fumar prejudica a saúde” directly states the action with the verb “prejudica” (meaning “harms”), making it a more straightforward statement. Both forms convey the same overall warning.