Breakdown of Vamos sentar-nos no pátio para conversar, pois está um dia agradável.
um
a
o dia
the day
ir
to go
estar
to be
em
in
para
to
sentar-se
to sit
o pátio
the patio
conversar
to chat
agradável
pleasant
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Questions & Answers about Vamos sentar-nos no pátio para conversar, pois está um dia agradável.
Why is the reflexive pronoun attached to the verb in “sentar‑nos” instead of appearing before the conjugated verb?
In European Portuguese, when using an infinitive construction like “vamos sentar‑nos,” the reflexive pronoun (in this case, nos) is attached to the end of the infinitive. This structure indicates that the people doing the sitting are also the ones experiencing the action (i.e., “sitting themselves down”). Note that in Brazilian Portuguese you might more commonly see the pronoun placed before the conjugated verb (“vamos nos sentar”).
What does the contraction “no” in “no pátio” stand for, and why is it used?
The word no is a contraction of em (meaning “in”) and the masculine singular definite article o (“the”). Because pátio is a masculine noun, the contraction em + o becomes no. This is a common feature in Portuguese that streamlines expressions of location.
How does the phrase “para conversar” function in this sentence?
The phrase para conversar is an infinitive phrase introduced by para, which indicates purpose. It tells us the reason for sitting in the courtyard—namely, “to chat.” It answers the implicit question, “Why are we sitting there?”
What is the role of “pois” in linking the parts of this sentence?
Pois is a conjunction that introduces a reason or explanation. Here, it connects the action (“let’s sit in the courtyard to chat”) with the justification (“because it is a nice day”). It functions similarly to “because” or “since” in English, bridging the two ideas.
Why does the sentence use “está” to describe the day instead of “é”?
In Portuguese, estar is typically used to describe temporary conditions or states. By saying está um dia agradável, the speaker emphasizes that the pleasant weather is a current, transient state rather than an inherent quality. This is especially common when referring to the weather.
How does the structure “Vamos sentar‑nos” convey an invitation or suggestion, and how is this similar to English?
The construction “vamos” + infinitive (with the reflexive pronoun attached in this case) is used to express a suggestion or a plan, much like “let’s” in English. “Vamos sentar‑nos” effectively means “Let’s sit” or “We are going to sit,” inviting participation in an upcoming action.