Breakdown of Ontem tropecei num degrau, mas não me magoei gravemente.
um
a
mas
but
em
in
ontem
yesterday
não
not
me
me
tropeçar
to trip
o degrau
the step
magoar
to hurt
gravemente
badly
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Questions & Answers about Ontem tropecei num degrau, mas não me magoei gravemente.
What does the contraction num mean in the phrase "num degrau"?
Num is a contraction of the preposition em (meaning “on”) and the indefinite article um (meaning “a” or “one”), so "num degrau" literally translates to “on a step.”
Why is the reflexive pronoun me placed before the verb magoei in the clause "não me magoei gravemente"?
In Portuguese, clitic pronouns like me are typically positioned before the conjugated verb—this is known as the proclitic position. In negative sentences like this one, the pronoun always appears before the verb. Thus, "não me magoei" means “I did not hurt myself,” where me refers back to the subject.
What tense are the verbs tropecei and magoei in, and what does this tense indicate?
Both tropecei and magoei are in the simple past tense (preterite). This tense is used to describe actions that were completed in the past.
How does the adverb gravemente function in the sentence, and where is it placed?
The adverb gravemente modifies the verb magoei, indicating that the action of hurting oneself was not serious. It is positioned after the verb, which is a common and natural placement for adverbs in Portuguese.
Is the subject explicitly stated in the sentence, and if not, how is it understood?
No, the subject is not explicitly mentioned. In Portuguese, the verb conjugation already indicates the subject. Both tropecei and magoei clearly imply the subject eu (I) through their endings.
What is the role of the conjunction mas in the sentence?
Mas means “but” in English and is used to introduce a contrasting idea. It separates the two clauses to show that although the speaker tripped on a step, they did not injure themselves seriously.
Why is a comma used before mas in this sentence, and is it necessary?
The comma before mas helps to clearly delineate the two contrasting clauses. While punctuation rules can sometimes be flexible, including the comma improves readability and clarifies the contrast between “tropecei num degrau” and “não me magoei gravemente.”