O Pedro trabalha no departamento.

Pedro works in the department.

Breakdown of O Pedro trabalha no departamento.

• Pedro: Pedro
• em: in
• trabalhar: to work
• o departamento: the department

Questions & Answers about O Pedro trabalha no departamento.

Why is there a definite article O before Pedro's name, when in English we usually say just Pedro?

In European Portuguese it’s common to use a definite article before personal names. In this sentence, O Pedro equates to Pedro in meaning, but the article O adds a linguistic flavor that is typical in Portugal. It may also help to specify or emphasize the individual in certain contexts.

How is the contraction no in no departamento formed, and why is it used here?

The contraction no comes from combining the preposition em (meaning “in”) with the masculine singular definite article o (meaning “the”). Therefore, no departamento translates directly as “in the department.” This contraction is standard in Portuguese when the preposition and article occur together before masculine singular nouns.

What does the verb trabalha indicate in this sentence, and how is it conjugated?

Trabalha is the third person singular present tense form of the verb trabalhar, which means “to work.” It agrees with the subject O Pedro, showing that Pedro is currently working at the department. The form is used with singular subjects and reflects ongoing or habitual actions.

Does departamento refer to any department, or is it specific in this context?

The word departamento means “department.” Because it appears as part of the contraction no departamento (in the department), it implies a specific department—one that is either already known from the context or understood by both the speaker and listener. The usage of the definite article signals that the speaker is referring to a particular department.

Are there any notable differences between Portuguese and English regarding the use of articles with names?

Yes, indeed. In English, we typically use proper names without a preceding article (for example, “Pedro”). In contrast, in Portuguese—especially in Portugal—it is quite common to include a definite article before a person’s name, such as O Pedro. This difference is just one of several features that learners encounter when adjusting to the grammatical norms of Portuguese.