Breakdown of O encontro com o Pedro é amanhã.
ser
to be
Pedro
Pedro
amanhã
tomorrow
com
with
o encontro
the meeting
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Questions & Answers about O encontro com o Pedro é amanhã.
What does each component in O encontro com o Pedro é amanhã mean?
- O is the masculine singular definite article equivalent to “the.”
- encontro translates to “meeting” or “encounter.”
- com means “with.”
- o Pedro refers to “Pedro” using the definite article, which is common in European Portuguese when referring to people.
- é is the present tense of the verb “ser,” meaning “is.”
- amanhã means “tomorrow.”
Why is the present tense verb é used even though the meeting is in the future?
In Portuguese, especially for scheduled or predetermined events, it’s common to use the present tense. Saying O encontro com o Pedro é amanhã reflects a fixed arrangement, much like how English sometimes uses the present simple for timetabled events (for instance, “The train leaves at 6 PM”).
Why is the definite article used before Pedro (i.e., o Pedro) when referring to a person?
In European Portuguese, it’s customary to use the definite article before a person’s name, particularly when talking about someone familiar or in everyday situations. So, o Pedro is the natural way to refer to Pedro, even though in English we simply say “Pedro.”
What is the function of com in this sentence, and how similar is it to its English counterpart?
com is a preposition that means “with.” It connects encontro (the meeting) with o Pedro (Pedro), indicating that Pedro is the person with whom the meeting is arranged. This is directly similar to the use of “with” in English.
Could you use a future tense form instead of é in this sentence, and if so, why is the present form preferred?
Yes, you could say O encontro com o Pedro será amanhã by using the future form of “ser” (será). However, when referring to fixed schedules or arrangements, Portuguese speakers prefer the present tense because it conveys certainty and immediacy. The present form is seen as more natural in contexts like these.