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Questions & Answers about O caldo está quente.
What does the word caldo mean in this sentence?
Caldo translates to broth in English. In a culinary context, it refers to a liquid preparation made by simmering ingredients such as meat, vegetables, or fish.
What is the role of the definite article o in the sentence?
The o is the masculine definite article in Portuguese, equivalent to the in English. It marks caldo as a specific masculine noun.
Why is the verb está used instead of é?
Portuguese uses estar (with está as the third-person singular form) to describe temporary states or conditions, such as the temperature of the broth at the moment. In contrast, ser (with é) is used for permanent or inherent qualities.
What does quente mean, and does it need to agree with caldo?
Quente means hot. In Portuguese, adjectives generally agree in gender and number with the noun they describe. In this case, quente is the same in both masculine and feminine singular forms, making it correct for the masculine noun caldo.
How is the sentence structured and what is its literal, word-for-word translation?
The sentence follows a simple structure: [Article] + [Noun] + [Linking Verb] + [Adjective]. Literally, o means the, caldo means broth, está means is (indicating a temporary state), and quente means hot. Therefore, the sentence translates directly to "The broth is hot."
Are there any regional differences in how this sentence might be used in Portuguese?
No significant regional differences affect this sentence. Both European and Brazilian Portuguese use similar vocabulary and grammar here, although you might notice slight variations in pronunciation or intonation between the regions.