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Repete a palavra, por favor.

Repete a palavra, por favor.
Repeat the word, please.
FromLesson 20inHardcore Portuguese (Portugal)

Breakdown of Repete a palavra, por favor.

por favor
please
a palavra
the word
repetir
to repeat

Questions & Answers about Repete a palavra, por favor.

What does the verb repete indicate in this command?
Repete is the imperative form of the verb repetir used with the informal second-person singular (tu). In this sentence, it is a direct command meaning “repeat.”
Why is the subject not mentioned in the sentence "Repete a palavra, por favor."?
In Portuguese, subjects in commands are typically implied. Since the command is directed at tu, there is no need to explicitly state the subject.
Why is the definite article a used before palavra instead of an indefinite article like uma?
The use of a indicates that the speaker is referring to a specific word already known or understood in context (i.e., “the word”). Using uma would imply “any word” rather than the particular word in question.
Why is por favor placed at the end of the sentence?
Placing por favor at the end is common in Portuguese polite requests. This position softens the command and makes it more courteous, much like “please” at the end of an English request.
How would the sentence change if I wanted to address someone formally or a group?
For a formal singular address, you would say Repita a palavra, por favor. If addressing multiple people, the plural imperative is used: Repitam a palavra, por favor. These adjustments reflect the appropriate formality and number in Portuguese.
Is the word order in this sentence similar to English, and what can that tell me about constructing polite commands?
Yes, the overall structure is quite similar: the command (verb) comes first, followed by the object, and then the politeness marker. This similarity (as in “Repeat the word, please”) can help you recognize that, while verb forms and omitted subjects differ, crafting polite commands in Portuguese follows a pattern that is somewhat analogous to English.
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