Breakdown of Na horta, a avó dá‑nos leite fresco e mostra‑nos borboletas coloridas.
e
and
em
in
colorido
colorful
mostrar
to show
a avó
the grandmother
nos
us
dar
to give
fresco
fresh
o leite
the milk
a borboleta
the butterfly
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Questions & Answers about Na horta, a avó dá‑nos leite fresco e mostra‑nos borboletas coloridas.
Why is the feminine contraction na used with horta, and not no?
Na is the result of contracting the preposition em (“in/at”) with the feminine definite article a (“the”). Since horta is a feminine noun (“a horta”), em + a → na. If it were a masculine noun (e.g. o jardim), you would use em + o → no jardim.
Why is there a comma after the introductory phrase Na horta?
In Portuguese, an initial adverbial or prepositional phrase is often set off by a comma for clarity. The comma simply marks the end of the location phrase (“in the garden”) before the main clause begins.
Why is there a definite article before avó? Couldn’t we just say “avó dá‑nos…”?
Portuguese normally uses a definite article before kinship terms when they function as subjects, unless a possessive adjective appears (e.g. a minha avó). So a avó is the standard way to say “the grandmother.”
Why does avó carry an acute accent, and how is it different from avô?
Avó with an acute accent on ó indicates “grandmother” (stressed open vowel). Avô with a circumflex on ô means “grandfather” (stressed closed vowel). The accents distinguish both pronunciation and meaning.
What kind of pronoun is nos in dá‑nos and mostra‑nos?
Nos is an indirect object clitic pronoun meaning “to us.”
- dá‑nos = “gives us”
- mostra‑nos = “shows us”
Why are these pronouns attached to the verbs with hyphens (enclisis)?
In European Portuguese, when a verb appears at the start of a clause or right after a pause (comma), clitic pronouns attach to the verb with a hyphen. That’s called enclisis:
- dá‑nos
- mostra‑nos
Could we say nos dá instead of dá‑nos?
In European Portuguese standard writing, enclisis (dá‑nos) is preferred after a pause. Nos dá (proclisis) is typical in Brazilian Portuguese and informal speech. Both are understood, but EP normative style uses enclisis here.
Why does the adjective coloridas come after borboletas?
Portuguese adjectives normally follow the noun they modify. So borboletas coloridas literally “butterflies colorful,” i.e. “colorful butterflies.”
Why is there no article before leite fresco?
Leite is an uncountable (mass) noun. Portuguese often omits the article when speaking generally. Dá‑nos leite fresco simply means “gives us fresh milk” without specifying “the milk.”