Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Portuguese grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about O Pedro encontrou uma moeda.
Why is the definite article O used before the name Pedro?
In Portuguese, especially in Portugal, it is common to place a definite article before first names. The O is the masculine singular definite article (equivalent to the in English) and its use with Pedro is simply a grammatical convention. Although we wouldn’t say the Pedro in English, including the article is natural in Portuguese usage.
What does the verb encontrou mean and which tense is it in?
The verb encontrou is the third person singular form of the verb encontrar in the simple past (preterite) tense. It translates to found in English, indicating that the action of finding was completed in the past.
Why is the indefinite article uma used with moeda?
The word uma is the feminine singular indefinite article in Portuguese, equivalent to a in English. Since moeda (meaning coin) is a feminine noun, the article must agree in gender, hence uma moeda rather than a masculine form.
How does the sentence structure of O Pedro encontrou uma moeda compare to English?
The sentence follows a standard Subject-Verb-Object order: • Subject: O Pedro • Verb: encontrou • Object: uma moeda This mirrors the English sentence Pedro found a coin, making the overall structure familiar to English speakers.
Is there any significance in using the preterite tense for encontrou in this sentence?
Yes, the preterite tense in Portuguese is used to denote actions that were completed in the past. In this sentence, encontrou clearly shows that the action (finding the coin) is finished. This use aligns with how completed past actions are typically expressed in European Portuguese.
Would using a different article before moeda change the meaning of the sentence?
Absolutely. Using uma indicates that the coin is not previously known or specified—it's any coin rather than a particular one. If you were to use the definite article (for example, a moeda), it would imply a specific coin that is already known to the speaker and listener.