Breakdown of Para temperares melhor a salada, podes usar azeite e um pouco de vinagre.
de
of
e
and
poder
to be able
para
in order to
melhor
better
usar
to use
um pouco
a bit
temperar
to season
a salada
the salad
o azeite
the olive oil
o vinagre
the vinegar
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Questions & Answers about Para temperares melhor a salada, podes usar azeite e um pouco de vinagre.
What does the form “tempares” mean, and why isn’t the simple infinitive “temperar” used here?
“Tempares” is the second-person singular form of the personal infinitive of the verb temperar (“to season”). In Portuguese, when a verb follows a preposition like para and the subject is explicitly “you” (implied by “podes”), the personal infinitive is used. This distinguishes it from the impersonal (or simple) infinitive, “temperar,” which doesn’t specify the subject.
How does the expression “para temperares melhor a salada” function in the sentence?
This expression translates to “in order to season the salad better.” The preposition para introduces a purpose clause. By using the personal infinitive “tempares,” the sentence clearly indicates that the action (seasoning) is meant to be performed by the person addressed. The placement at the beginning emphasizes the intended improvement in flavor.
Why is the verb “podes” used in this sentence, and what does it indicate about the formality?
“Podes” is the second-person singular (informal “tu” form) of the verb poder (“to be able to” or “can”). Its use shows that the sentence addresses someone informally, which is common in European Portuguese. It conveys that “you can use” olive oil and a bit of vinegar as a suggestion or option.
What do the words “azeite” and “vinagre” mean in this context?
In this sentence, azeite means olive oil and vinagre means vinegar. They are mentioned as the ingredients that can be used to dress or flavor the salad, with the phrase “um pouco de vinagre” specifying that only a small amount of vinegar should be added.
Could this sentence be reformulated using the non-personal infinitive form, and if so, what would it look like?
Yes, it can be rephrased with the non-personal (simple) infinitive. For example, you could say: “Para temperar melhor a salada, podes usar azeite e um pouco de vinagre.” The meaning remains the same, but using “temperar” instead of “tempares” gives the sentence a slightly more neutral tone.