Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): Depois do banho, ainda encontro areia nos meus óculos de sol. - After the shower, I still find sand on my sunglasses.

In European Portuguese, banho refers to the act of bathing, whereas banheiro is more often used to mean “toilet” or “restroom.” Saying Depois do banho literally means “after the bath,” focusing on the action, not the place.

Why do we use the contraction do in Depois do banho?

The preposition de (“of/after”) combines with the masculine singular article o (“the”) to form do. So de + o banho becomes do banho.

What does ainda mean in this sentence?

Here ainda means “still.” It emphasizes that even now, after the bath, you continue to find sand on your sunglasses.

Does encontrar only mean “to meet,” or can it mean “to find” as used here?

In Portuguese, encontrar can mean both “to meet” and “to find.” In this context, it means “to discover” or “to come across” sand on your sunglasses.

Why is óculos plural in meus óculos de sol?

In Portuguese, óculos is always plural (just like “sunglasses” in English) because a pair of lenses is considered two items.

Why do we say nos meus óculos and not no meu óculos?

Since óculos is plural, you need the plural contraction nos (em + os) and the plural possessive meus, matching the noun’s number. No meu óculos would be singular, which doesn’t fit óculos.

Why is there no article before areia in encontro areia?

Areia is an uncountable/mass noun here, referring to an unspecified amount of sand. Omitting the article (no a or a before areia) is common when talking about a non-specific quantity.

Could I say Tenho areia nos meus óculos de sol instead of Encontro areia…?

Yes. Tenho areia nos meus óculos (“I have sand on my sunglasses”) is also natural and might even sound more colloquial, but encontro focuses on the moment you notice or discover the sand.