Breakdown of Meu dedo sangra quando corto o pão.
meu
my
o pão
the bread
quando
when
cortar
to cut
sangrar
to bleed
o dedo
the finger
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Questions & Answers about Meu dedo sangra quando corto o pão.
Why is the subject pronoun omitted in the clause "corto o pão"?
Portuguese often drops the subject pronoun when the verb form clearly indicates who is performing the action. In "corto o pão," the verb "corto" is in the first person singular, so it’s understood that the speaker is saying "I cut the bread" without needing to explicitly say "eu."
What is the meaning and role of "sangra" in this sentence?
"Sangra" is the third person singular form of the verb "sangrar," which means "to bleed." In the sentence "Meu dedo sangra quando corto o pão," it indicates that "my finger bleeds" as a result of the action described in the second clause.
How does the present tense usage in both clauses affect the meaning of the sentence?
The use of the present tense in both parts of the sentence suggests that these actions are either habitual or generally true. It implies that whenever the speaker cuts the bread, the finger bleeds. This everyday, factual tone is common in Portuguese when stating repeated or general occurrences.
What role does the conjunction "quando" play in connecting the parts of the sentence?
"Quando" is a temporal conjunction meaning "when." It links the two clauses by showing that the bleeding of the finger happens at the same time or as a consequence of the action of cutting the bread.
Why is the possessive adjective "meu" used before "dedo," and how does it agree grammatically?
"Meu" means "my" and is the masculine singular form of the possessive adjective, matching the noun "dedo," which is masculine and singular. In Portuguese, possessives must agree in gender and number with the noun they describe.
Would including the subject pronoun in the second clause change the sentence, and is it acceptable?
It is completely acceptable to include the subject pronoun for emphasis or clarity. You could say "Meu dedo sangra quando eu corto o pão." However, since the verb conjugation in "corto" already clearly indicates the first person singular, omitting "eu" is both natural and common in Portuguese.