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Questions & Answers about O meu coração está calmo.
Why is there a definite article O before meu coração?
In European Portuguese it’s standard to place the definite article before a possessive pronoun. So instead of saying just meu coração, you say o meu coração. It literally parallels “the my heart,” but in Portuguese that’s the normal structure.
Can I omit the article and say Meu coração está calmo?
In European Portuguese, omitting the article sounds odd or colloquial. You should keep o. In Brazilian Portuguese you will sometimes hear meu coração está calmo, but even in Brazil the article is more common in formal speech.
Why is the verb estar used here instead of ser?
Portuguese has two verbs for “to be”:
- ser for permanent traits or identities
- estar for temporary states or conditions
Feeling calm is a temporary state, so you use está (3rd person singular of estar).
Why is calmo placed after coração, rather than before as in English (“my calm heart”)?
In Portuguese the normal adjective position is after the noun: coração calmo. Placing certain adjectives before the noun does happen for emphasis or style, but the default is noun → adjective.
What does the tilde on the ã in coração do to the pronunciation?
The tilde denotes a nasal vowel. coração is pronounced roughly /ku-ra-ˈsɐ̃w̃/:
- o like English “oo” in “food” (but shorter)
- r is a soft flap or guttural, depending on region
- ão is a nasal “own” without the hard “n” at the end
Why is calmo used instead of calmado?
Calmo is the regular adjective meaning “calm.” Calmado is derived from the past participle of calar (“to quiet”), but it’s rarely used to describe a person or heart. Stick with calmo for “tranquil” or “peaceful.”
Could I say O meu coração está em paz instead?
Yes. Em paz (“at peace”) is a common idiomatic alternative. Both convey calmness, but em paz emphasizes a broader sense of inner peace or harmony.
Is coração masculine or feminine, and how do I know?
Coração is masculine, so you pair it with o (definite article) and meu (masculine possessive). Most Portuguese nouns ending in -ão are masculine, though there are exceptions. Always check a dictionary if in doubt.