Breakdown of Podemos pôr o bacalhau no forno em vez de o fritar, para uma versão mais saudável.
nós
we
em
in
para
for
mais
more
uma
a
poder
to be able
saudável
healthy
em vez de
instead of
o
it
a versão
the version
fritar
to fry
pôr
to put
o bacalhau
the cod
o forno
the oven
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Questions & Answers about Podemos pôr o bacalhau no forno em vez de o fritar, para uma versão mais saudável.
What does pôr mean in this context, and how does it differ from using another verb like colocar?
Pôr means “to put” or “to place.” In this sentence it instructs that the cod should be “put in” (or baked in) the oven. Although pôr and colocar can both translate as “to put,” pôr is often more concise and commonly used in everyday or culinary contexts in European Portuguese.
Why is the object pronoun o placed before the verb fritar in the phrase em vez de o fritar? Could it be attached to the end of the verb instead?
In Portuguese, direct object pronouns can be positioned before the verb (a position known as proclisis) or attached after the verb (enclisis), depending on the context. In em vez de o fritar, o (referring to the cod) comes before fritar following a common European Portuguese preference in such structures. An equally acceptable alternative in some contexts is em vez de fritá-lo, where the pronoun is attached to the end of the infinitive.
What does the phrase em vez de mean, and how is it used grammatically in this sentence?
Em vez de translates to “instead of” in English. It functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces an alternative action. Here it contrasts baking the cod with frying it, indicating that the chosen cooking method is an alternative to frying.
What role does the phrase para uma versão mais saudável play in the sentence?
The phrase para uma versão mais saudável is an adverbial clause that explains the purpose of the change in cooking method. It means “for a healthier version,” clarifying that baking the cod instead of frying it is intended to create a healthier dish.
Why is there a definite article o before bacalhau, and what does this tell us about the way food items are referred to in Portuguese?
Portuguese often uses the definite article before food items when referring to them in a generic or familiar sense. In this sentence, o bacalhau implies that a well-known or typical type of cod is being used, reflecting both the cultural significance of the ingredient and a common linguistic practice in referring to staple foods.