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Questions & Answers about O bolo é doce.
What is the function of the definite article O in the sentence?
The O is a masculine singular definite article. It indicates that bolo (cake) is a masculine noun, and it agrees with the noun in gender and number, which is essential in Portuguese.
Why is the verb é used in this sentence instead of a different form?
É is the third-person singular present form of the verb ser. In Portuguese, ser is used to express inherent or defining characteristics. Since doce describes an intrinsic quality of the cake, ser (and thus é) is the appropriate choice over estar, which is used for temporary states.
How does the structure of O bolo é doce compare to standard English sentence structure?
The structure of O bolo é doce follows a subject + verb + adjective pattern, just like the English sentence “The cake is sweet.” This similarity in word order helps learners see the connection between Portuguese and English sentence construction.
Why is the adjective doce placed after the verb rather than before the noun?
In Portuguese, when stating a characteristic with ser, the adjective typically follows the verb to form a predicate adjective. This placement emphasizes that doce is a property being attributed to bolo, rather than an adjective directly modifying the noun.
Do adjectives in Portuguese need to agree with the noun, and how does that apply to doce?
Yes, adjectives in Portuguese must agree with the noun in gender and number. However, doce is an adjective that has the same form for both masculine and feminine singular nouns. Thus, it appears unchanged in O bolo é doce (masculine) as well as in cases like A torta é doce (feminine).