Breakdown of Ana e Pedro moram num bairro pequeno.
Ana
Ana
Pedro
Pedro
um
a
e
and
em
in
pequeno
small
o bairro
the neighborhood
morar
to live
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Portuguese grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Ana e Pedro moram num bairro pequeno.
Why is "num" used in this sentence, and what does it mean?
In European Portuguese, num is a contraction of em (“in”) and um (“a/an”). It is used to indicate that Ana and Pedro live in a neighborhood without specifying which one—essentially meaning “in a.”
Why is the verb "moram" used instead of "mora"?
The verb moram is in the third person plural form because the subject is Ana e Pedro, which is plural. In Portuguese, the verb must agree with its subject, so because more than one person is involved, moram is used instead of the singular mora.
What does the word "bairro" mean in this context?
Bairro means “neighborhood.” It refers to a local district or area within a city or town. In this sentence, it tells us where Ana and Pedro live.
Why is the adjective pequeno placed after bairro instead of before?
In Portuguese, adjectives can be placed either before or after the noun. When the adjective follows the noun—as in bairro pequeno—it often serves as a straightforward description of a quality. Here, pequeno (small) is used after bairro (neighborhood) to describe its size, which is a common word order in Portuguese.
Does the verb moram imply anything about the nature of Ana and Pedro’s residence?
Yes, moram suggests that Ana and Pedro have a regular, habitual residence in that neighborhood. It implies that they live there permanently or for an extended period, rather than just visiting temporarily.