Breakdown of Eu compito com o Pedro na corrida.
eu
I
Pedro
Pedro
em
in
com
with
a corrida
the race
competir
to compete
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Questions & Answers about Eu compito com o Pedro na corrida.
What is the literal translation of "Eu compito com o Pedro na corrida"?
It translates to "I compete with Pedro in the race." Here, "Eu" means "I", "compito" comes from "competir" meaning "compete", "com o Pedro" stands for "with Pedro" (note the use of the definite article "o" before "Pedro" which is common in European Portuguese), and "na corrida" means "in the race" with "na" being a contraction of "em a."
What tense and form is used in the verb "compito" in this sentence?
"Compito" is the first person singular form of the verb "competir" in the present indicative. This indicates either a current or habitual action, meaning "I compete" or simply "I am competing."
Why is the phrase "com o Pedro" used instead of just "Pedro"?
In Portuguese, especially in Portugal, it’s common to include the definite article before personal names after certain prepositions. Thus, "com o Pedro" means "with Pedro", and the definite article "o" emphasizes standard usage in European Portuguese.
How is the contraction "na" in "na corrida" formed and what does it signify?
The contraction "na" is formed by combining the preposition "em" (meaning "in") with the feminine definite article "a" (meaning "the"). Therefore, "na corrida" literally means "in the race."
Does the construction "compito com o Pedro" imply a rivalry or opposition?
Yes, in this context, "compito com o Pedro" implies that you are competing against Pedro as rivals in the race. Even though "com" translates to "with," when used with the verb "competir" it naturally carries the sense of being opponents in a contest.
Could this sentence be expressed differently to show an ongoing action, and if so, how?
Certainly. You could also say "Estou competindo com o Pedro na corrida," which uses the present continuous form. Both "Eu compito" and "Estou competindo" are correct; the simple present can indicate a current or habitual action in Portuguese, while the present continuous emphasizes that the competition is happening right now.
Are there any differences in how similar sentences might be constructed in Brazilian Portuguese?
The sentence is grammatically correct in both European and Brazilian Portuguese. However, Brazilian Portuguese often omits the article before personal names after prepositions. So, in Brazil, you might simply hear "compito com Pedro" instead of "compito com o Pedro," though the meaning remains the same.