Quando tenho fome, apetece-me comer um bolo quentinho.

When I’m hungry, I feel like eating a warm cake.

Breakdown of Quando tenho fome, apetece-me comer um bolo quentinho.

• um: a
• comer: to eat
• o bolo: the cake
• ter: to have
• quando: when
• me: me
• quente: warm
• a fome: the hunger
• apetecer: to feel like

Questions & Answers about Quando tenho fome, apetece-me comer um bolo quentinho.

What does apetece-me mean, and how does its structure differ from typical English expressions?

Apetece-me is a way to express that something appeals to you or that you feel like doing something. In this sentence, it literally translates as “it appeals to me to eat a warm cake,” which in natural English becomes “I feel like eating a warm cake.” Notice that Portuguese often uses an impersonal construction here, with the object pronoun me attached to the verb, compared to the more direct subject–verb structure in English.

Why is the pronoun me attached to apetece instead of appearing before the verb, as in English?

In European Portuguese, it’s common to attach the object pronoun to the verb (known as enclisis) in affirmative statements. So instead of placing me before apetece, it is affixed to the end of the verb. This structure is standard in Portuguese and may feel unusual to English speakers, where object pronouns typically appear before the verb.

What role does the clause "Quando tenho fome" play in the sentence?

The clause "Quando tenho fome" functions as an adverbial clause indicating the condition under which the speaker experiences the desire. It means “when I am hungry,” setting the context for why the speaker feels like eating a warm cake. This temporal clause clarifies that the desire is linked specifically to the state of being hungry.

Why is the adjective quentinho used instead of simply quente to describe the cake?

The use of quentinho is a form of the diminutive in Portuguese, which not only conveys the literal sense of “warm” but also adds an element of affection, comfort, or desirability. It suggests that the cake isn’t just warm—it has a pleasant, inviting warmth. This nuance often makes the description more appealing and vivid compared to the straightforward adjective quente.

Can apetece-me be used interchangeably with expressions like tenho vontade de, or are there differences in usage?

While both apetece-me and tenho vontade de express a desire to do something, there are subtle differences. Apetece-me tends to be more informal and is often used to describe spontaneous cravings or inclinations (like suddenly wanting a warm cake when hungry). Tenho vontade de is slightly more formal and translates to “I have the desire to,” implying a more deliberate or planned wish. In many everyday situations, they can be used interchangeably, but the choice depends on the context and the nuance you wish to convey.