Breakdown of Às vezes sinto que pertenço a uma família muito unida.
muito
very
uma
a
sentir
to feel
que
that
a família
the family
às vezes
sometimes
pertencer a
to belong
unido
close-knit
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Questions & Answers about Às vezes sinto que pertenço a uma família muito unida.
What does Às vezes mean and why is it written that way?
Às vezes literally translates as “at times,” but it’s commonly used to mean “sometimes.” The contraction comes from the preposition a combined with the definite article as, forming às. This is a standard contraction in Portuguese that appears in several expressions.
Why is the subject pronoun omitted in this sentence?
In Portuguese, the verb endings clearly indicate the subject. The verb sinto (from sentir) is conjugated in the first person singular, meaning “I feel,” so there is no need to include the subject pronoun eu. This omission is common in Portuguese due to the language’s rich inflection.
How is the verb sentir used in this sentence?
The verb sentir means “to feel.” In the sentence, it appears as sinto, which is the first person singular present tense form. This form is used to express the speaker’s general or habitual feeling.
What is the meaning of pertenço and how is it conjugated?
Pertenco is the first person singular present tense form of the verb pertencer, which means “to belong.” In this context, it conveys the sense of “I belong” to a particular group or entity, in this case, a close-knit family.
How does the clause que pertenço a uma família muito unida function within the sentence?
The clause que pertenço a uma família muito unida is a subordinate clause that explains what the speaker feels. The conjunction que acts like “that” in English, linking the main verb sinto with the subordinate idea. The preposition a follows pertencer to introduce what the speaker belongs to, specifying the object as “a very united family.”
What does uma família muito unida mean, and what role do the adjectives play?
Uma família muito unida translates to “a very close-knit family.” The article uma means “a” or “an,” indicating an indefinite family. The adjective unida means “united” or “close-knit,” and muito intensifies that quality by meaning “very.” Together, they provide a vivid description of the family’s close relationships.
Would it make a difference if someone said estou sentindo instead of sinto?
Yes, there is a subtle difference. Sinto is in the simple present tense, which expresses a general or habitual state—“I feel.” In contrast, estou sentindo is in the present continuous tense, suggesting an action or emotion that is happening right now. In this sentence, sinto is preferred because the statement reflects a general feeling rather than a temporary state.