Breakdown of O Pedro espera o comboio na estação.
Pedro
Pedro
em
in
esperar
to wait
o comboio
the train
a estação
the station
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Questions & Answers about O Pedro espera o comboio na estação.
Why is the definite article O used before Pedro’s name in this sentence?
In Portuguese (Portugal), it’s common to use definite articles with personal names, especially for males. Although it translates literally as “the Pedro,” it primarily serves as a conventional marker of familiarity and specificity.
What does the verb espera mean and how is it used here?
Espera is the third person singular present indicative form of the verb esperar. In this context, it means “waits” (i.e., Pedro is waiting), so the sentence translates to “Pedro is waiting for the train at the station.”
How should I understand the word comboio?
Comboio means “train” in European Portuguese. Note that in Brazilian Portuguese the common term is trem.
What does the contraction na in na estação signify?
Na is a contraction of em (meaning “in” or “at”) and a (the feminine definite article “the”). Therefore, na estação translates as “at the station.”
Why is there no preposition after espera when in English we say “wait for the train”?
In Portuguese, the verb esperar can directly take its object without any intervening preposition. Although English requires “for” in “wait for the train,” Portuguese simply uses espera o comboio to convey the same meaning.
Does the word order in this sentence differ significantly from English?
Not significantly. The sentence follows a similar structure to English: subject (O Pedro), verb (espera), object (o comboio), and location (na estação). However, learners should note differences like the use of articles with proper names and the omission of a preposition after the verb.
Are there vocabulary differences between European and Brazilian Portuguese evident in this sentence?
Yes. The term comboio is standard in European Portuguese for “train,” while Brazilian Portuguese generally uses trem. Additionally, using a definite article with a name (like O Pedro) is more typical in European Portuguese than in Brazilian Portuguese.