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Questions & Answers about Faltam cadeiras na sala.
Why is the verb conjugated as faltam instead of falta in this sentence?
In Portuguese, the verb must agree with its subject. Here, cadeiras (chairs) is the subject and it’s plural. Therefore, the verb faltar is conjugated in the plural form as faltam to match cadeiras, even though the sentence indicates a deficiency.
How does subject-verb agreement work with the verb faltar in sentences that express a lack?
With faltar, the item that is missing or insufficient is treated as the subject. This means that if multiple items are lacking (as with cadeiras), the verb must be plural. The agreement is based directly on the item that is absent rather than an implied “there is/are” construction.
What does the contraction na in na sala mean?
The contraction na is formed from em (in) and a (the). Thus, na sala translates to in the room. It establishes the location where the chairs are missing.
How should I translate Faltam cadeiras na sala into English?
A common translation would be There are missing chairs in the room or There aren’t enough chairs in the room. The sentence conveys that the room lacks a sufficient number of chairs.
Can the word order be changed without altering the meaning of the sentence?
Yes, Portuguese often allows flexible word order. For example, you could say Na sala faltam cadeiras and it would still carry the same meaning. The flexibility is possible because the subject (cadeiras) and the location (na sala) are clearly marked, ensuring the sentence’s intended meaning remains clear.