Breakdown of Senhor, vista a camisa antes de sair, pois está bastante frio lá fora.
de
of
estar
to be
lá fora
outside
frio
cold
pois
because
sair
to leave
antes
before
bastante
quite
vestir
to put on
a camisa
the shirt
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Questions & Answers about Senhor, vista a camisa antes de sair, pois está bastante frio lá fora.
Why is there a comma after Senhor in the sentence?
The comma signals a vocative pause. Senhor is used as a form of direct address, so it is set off from the rest of the sentence to clarify that the speaker is addressing someone respectfully.
What is the significance of the verb form vista in this context?
Vista is the formal imperative form of the verb vestir, meaning “to put on.” It commands the person addressed to put on the shirt. This form is used to show respect and formality, especially when addressing someone as Senhor.
Why is the formal imperative vista used instead of the informal veste?
In European Portuguese, a formal tone is maintained when addressing someone respectfully. Since the sentence starts with Senhor, the formal imperative vista is the appropriate choice rather than the informal veste.
Why is the infinitive sair used in the phrase antes de sair?
After the prepositional phrase antes de (“before”), Portuguese grammar requires the use of an infinitive. Thus, sair (“to leave”) remains in its base form to indicate the action to be completed after putting on the shirt.
What function does the conjunction pois serve in this sentence?
Pois acts as a causal conjunction equivalent to “because” in English. It connects the main instruction to its explanation, clarifying that the garment should be worn because it is quite cold outside.
How should we interpret the phrase bastante frio in this context?
Bastante frio means “quite cold” or “fairly cold.” The adverb bastante emphasizes that the level of cold is significant enough to warrant putting on the shirt before leaving.
How does the sentence reflect a formal register in Portuguese?
The formal register is evident from the respectful address Senhor and the use of the formal imperative vista. Both choices align with the conventions of polite, formal speech in European Portuguese.