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Questions & Answers about A tua resposta está certa.
What does tua mean in this sentence, and why is it used instead of sua?
Tua is an informal possessive adjective meaning your (used when addressing someone familiar) in European Portuguese. In this sentence, it indicates a personal, informal relationship. On the other hand, sua is typically used in formal contexts or can refer to third-person possession.
Why is the definite article A used before tua?
In European Portuguese, it’s customary to use the definite article with possessive adjectives. Here, A tua resposta combines the article A (feminine singular) with tua to clearly specify the noun resposta. It helps maintain correct gender and number agreement and is an essential part of the structure.
What is the grammatical role of está in the sentence, and why is estar used instead of ser?
Está is the third-person singular form of the verb estar, which is used to express temporary states or conditions. In this sentence, saying A tua resposta está certa emphasizes that the answer is correct in the current context or evaluation. Using ser (as in é) would imply an inherent, unchanging quality, which isn’t the focus here.
How does gender and number agreement appear in this sentence?
All parts of the sentence agree in feminine singular form. The article A, the possessive adjective tua, the noun resposta, and the adjective certa are all feminine singular. This consistency is crucial in Portuguese grammar to ensure that adjectives and articles match the nouns they describe.
Can certa be replaced with correta? If so, is there any difference in meaning?
Yes, you could also say A tua resposta está correta. Both adjectives mean correct, but certa is more commonly used in everyday conversation. Correta might sound a bit more formal in some contexts; however, in most situations, the difference is minimal.
Is the use of tua specific to Portuguese from Portugal, and how does it compare with Brazilian Portuguese?
Indeed, tua is predominantly used in European Portuguese for informal contexts. In Brazilian Portuguese, speakers more commonly use sua regardless of formality. This regional variation is important for learners to be aware of, especially if they are aiming to adapt to a specific dialect.