Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): Com este cobertor, a sala fica mais acolhedora e convidativa. - With this blanket, the living room becomes more welcoming and inviting.

Cobertor translates to “blanket” in English. It is a masculine noun in Portuguese, so when you refer to it you use the masculine article “o” (as in “o cobertor”).

How does the prepositional phrase “com este cobertor” function in this sentence?

The phrase “com este cobertor” means “with this blanket.” It works as an adverbial phrase that indicates the means or instrument by which the room’s atmosphere is affected. It sets up the context for how the addition of the blanket causes the change described later in the sentence.

What is the role of the verb fica in this sentence, and why is it used instead of something like é?

Fica comes from the verb “ficar,” and in this context it means “becomes” or “gets.” It is used to express a change of state; that is, the room transforms into a state of being more welcoming and inviting when the blanket is present. Using fica emphasizes that the blanket causes the room to change, rather than describing a permanent quality with é.

Why are the adjectives acolhedora and convidativa in their feminine forms?

These adjectives are in the feminine form because they agree with the noun “sala,” which is feminine. In Portuguese, adjectives must match the gender and number of the noun they describe. Since “sala” is feminine, the adjectives take the ending -a (as in acolhedora and convidativa).

What function does the word mais serve in the phrase “mais acolhedora e convidativa”?

The word mais translates to “more” in English and is used as a comparative adverb. It intensifies the adjectives acolhedora and convidativa, indicating that the room becomes even more welcoming and inviting as a result of the blanket.

Is it common in Portuguese to list several adjectives together like “acolhedora e convidativa,” and how should they be understood?

Yes, it is quite common to use multiple adjectives to enrich a description. In this sentence, “acolhedora” (welcoming) and “convidativa” (inviting) work together to give a more complete picture of the room’s atmosphere. The use of e (meaning “and”) joins the adjectives to show that the room possesses both qualities simultaneously.