Breakdown of Ele tem desculpa para o atraso.
ele
he
ter
to have
para
for
o atraso
the delay
a desculpa
the excuse
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Questions & Answers about Ele tem desculpa para o atraso.
What does the verb tem mean in this sentence?
Tem is the third person singular form of the verb ter, which means “has”. In this sentence, Ele tem translates directly to “He has.”
Why is there no indefinite article before desculpa even though the English translation uses “an” excuse?
In Portuguese, especially in idiomatic expressions like this one, it’s common to omit the indefinite article when referring to abstract or general ideas. Although you could say uma desculpa to emphasize a single, countable excuse, the construction Ele tem desculpa para o atraso is idiomatic and perfectly acceptable.
What role does the preposition para play in para o atraso?
The preposition para indicates the relationship between the excuse and what it addresses—in this case, the delay. Para o atraso translates as “for the delay.” The preposition connects the excuse with its purpose or justification.
Why is there a definite article o before atraso?
The definite article o is used before atraso because it refers to a specific event—the delay in question. In Portuguese, when mentioning a specific delay (the one being discussed), the definite article is required. So, para o atraso means “for the delay” as a particular instance.
Can I say Ele tem uma desculpa para o atraso instead, and is there a difference in meaning?
Yes, you can say Ele tem uma desculpa para o atraso and it will be understood similarly. Using uma explicitly emphasizes that he has one particular excuse. However, omitting the article—as in the original sentence—is common in colloquial Portuguese and gives the expression a more idiomatic feel.
If I wanted to emphasize the delay rather than the excuse, could the sentence structure be changed?
Yes, you could adjust the sentence for emphasis. For instance, you might say Quanto ao atraso, ele tem desculpa. This repositioning shifts the focus to the delay, though it is more formal or literary. The original sentence, Ele tem desculpa para o atraso, is the most straightforward and commonly used construction.