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Questions & Answers about O ano passado foi difícil.
What does O ano passado mean in English, and why is the definite article O necessary?
It means last year. In Portuguese, time expressions like this require the definite article. Even though English drops the article (saying simply last year), Portuguese uses O to specify that it is referring to a particular, completed year.
What role does the adjective passado play, and why does it follow the noun ano?
Passado functions as an adjective meaning past and describes the noun ano. Unlike English, where adjectives typically precede the noun (as in past year), Portuguese usually places descriptive adjectives after the noun. Thus, ano passado is the natural word order to express last year.
What is the function of the verb foi in this sentence, and from which verb is it derived?
Foi is the third-person singular preterite form of the verb ser, meaning was. It indicates that the statement is referring to a past, definitive state of the year, conveying that last year was difficult.
Why is the verb ser (used here as foi) chosen over estar in this sentence?
Ser is used to describe inherent, defining characteristics or conditions. Since the sentence is summarizing an overall quality of the entire year—that it was difficult—using ser is appropriate. Estar would imply a temporary state, which doesn’t fit when describing the lasting condition of a whole year.
Does the adjective difícil change form according to the noun it modifies, and if not, why?
No, difícil remains the same regardless of the noun’s gender or number. This is because adjectives ending in -l in Portuguese are generally invariant, so difícil is used in the same form whether describing a masculine or feminine noun, or singular or plural contexts.
Are there alternative ways to express the idea that last year was difficult in Portuguese?
Yes, there are a few variations. For example, you might say O ano que passou foi difícil (literally, the year that passed was difficult) or No ano passado, as coisas foram difíceis (which translates to last year, things were difficult). However, O ano passado foi difícil remains the most concise and commonly used form.