Breakdown of Paciente descansa depois do exame.
descansar
to rest
depois de
after
o exame
the exam
o paciente
the patient
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Portuguese grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Paciente descansa depois do exame.
Why does the sentence use “Paciente” without a definite article?
In Portuguese, especially in contexts like medical records or headlines, the noun can appear without an article for brevity. Although in everyday conversation you might say O paciente (meaning “the patient”), omitting the article here creates a concise style that is common in written reports.
What is the grammatical form of “descansa” and what does it signify in this sentence?
“Descansa” is the third-person singular form of the verb descansar in the present indicative tense. It indicates that the patient is either currently resting or, in a more general sense, is in the state of resting after the exam.
How does the phrase “depois do exame” function in the sentence?
“Depois do exame” is an adverbial phrase of time. The word depois means “after,” and do is a contraction of de + o, meaning “of the.” This phrase clarifies when the resting takes place—that is, after the exam.
Is it acceptable to include a definite article before “paciente”? How would that change the sentence?
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable. You could say O paciente descansa depois do exame. Including o (meaning “the”) specifies and emphasizes that you are referring to a particular patient. The meaning remains the same, but the sentence adopts a more conversational and standard form.
What is the significance of the contraction “do” in “depois do exame”?
In Portuguese, contractions are very common. Here, do is a contraction of de + o, meaning “of the.” Therefore, depois do exame literally translates to “after the exam.” This contraction streamlines the sentence and is a natural part of Portuguese grammar.