Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Portuguese grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Eu toco música em casa.
What is the English translation of "Eu toco música em casa"?
It translates to "I play music at home." This sentence conveys that the speaker is engaged in playing music within their home environment.
Why is the subject pronoun "Eu" included, even though Portuguese verbs are often conjugated to reflect the subject?
While Portuguese often omits subject pronouns because the verb ending usually indicates the subject, "Eu" (meaning "I") is included here for clarity and emphasis—especially useful for learners who benefit from explicitly seeing the subject matching the verb form.
What does the verb "toco" indicate in this sentence?
"Toco" is the first person singular present tense of "tocar," which means "to play." In this context, it specifically refers to the act of playing music, typically on an instrument, rather than any other meaning like "to touch."
Why is the noun "música" used without an article in this sentence?
In Portuguese, when talking about doing something in a general sense (like playing music rather than a specific piece of music), no article is needed. This is similar to English, where we say "I play music" and not "I play the music."
What does the phrase "em casa" mean, and how is it constructed?
The phrase "em casa" means "at home." The preposition "em" translates to "in" or "at," and when combined with "casa" (meaning "home"), it indicates the location where the action takes place.
Could "tocar" be confused with other meanings in Portuguese, and how does context help?
Yes, "tocar" can also mean "to touch" or even refer to something like "to ring" (as a phone might). In this sentence, the presence of "música" makes it clear that the intended meaning is "to play music." Context is essential for understanding which meaning of a polysemous word is being used.