Breakdown of Meu colega estuda para o exame.
meu
my
estudar
to study
para
for
o exame
the exam
o colega
the colleague
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Questions & Answers about Meu colega estuda para o exame.
What does the colega in the sentence mean, and why might it be chosen over a word like amigo?
Colega translates as “colleague” or “classmate” in English. While amigo means “friend,” colega is used to refer to someone you work or study with. It carries a neutral tone and fits well in both professional and academic contexts.
Why is the verb estuda used here, and what does its form tell us about the subject?
Estuda is the third person singular form of the regular verb estudar (“to study”). Its conjugation indicates that the subject is singular. Since meu colega (meaning “my colleague”) can refer to either a male or female (though the possessive meu suggests a masculine subject), the verb remains the same regardless of gender.
What function does the preposition para serve in this sentence?
In this sentence, para means “for” and is used to indicate purpose. It shows that the action of studying is intended for the exam, similar to how we say “studies for the exam” in English.
Why is the definite article o used before exame, and could another article be used instead?
The definite article o before exame serves to specify a particular exam known in the context, much like “the exam” in English. Using an indefinite article (such as um) would imply just any exam rather than a specific one, which would change the intended meaning.
How does the word order in “Meu colega estuda para o exame.” compare to the typical English sentence structure?
The sentence follows a Subject-Verb-Prepositional Phrase order, mirroring the structure of “My colleague studies for the exam.” This similarity in basic syntax makes it easier for English speakers to understand the overall construction.
Does the gender of colega affect other parts of the sentence, such as the possessive adjective or verb form?
Colega is a common gender noun, meaning it can refer to a male or female. In this sentence, the possessive adjective meu (meaning “my”) indicates that the colleague is male. If referring to a female colleague, you would change it to minha. However, the verb form estuda does not change with the noun’s gender.