Breakdown of Para não perder o sabor, guardo a massa no congelador durante a noite.
eu
I
a noite
the night
em
in
perder
to lose
não
not
para
to
durante
during
guardar
to keep
a massa
the dough
o sabor
the flavour
o congelador
the freezer
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Questions & Answers about Para não perder o sabor, guardo a massa no congelador durante a noite.
What does para não perder o sabor express in this sentence?
It introduces a purpose clause, equivalent to “in order not to lose the flavor.” In Portuguese, para + infinitive is the most common way to state intent or goal.
Why is the verb in its infinitive form after para?
When you use para to indicate purpose, you pair it directly with the infinitive (e.g. para perder, para ver, para comer). There’s no need for a conjugated verb because the subject of both clauses is the same.
Could I use para que não perca o sabor instead of para não perder o sabor?
Yes, but it’s a bit more formal. Para que requires the subjunctive (here perca) and is used if you want more emphasis or if the subjects differ. With the same subject, para + infinitive is shorter and more idiomatic in everyday speech.
Why do we say a massa and o sabor with definite articles? Aren’t articles optional in English?
In Portuguese, most singular concrete nouns need a definite article. So you say a massa (“the pasta/dough”) and o sabor (“the flavor”), even if you’re speaking generally. Omitting the article often changes the nuance or sounds unnatural.
Why is it no congelador? What exactly is a congelador?
No is the contraction of em + o, so no congelador means “in the freezer.” In Portugal, congelador is the appliance (or compartment) that freezes food. It’s distinct from frigorífico, which is the fridge.
Can I say no freezer or no frigorífico instead?
You could use the anglicism o freezer, but that’s more common in Brazil. In Portugal, native speakers almost always say congelador. Saying no frigorífico would mean “in the fridge,” which keeps things cool but not fully frozen.
What does durante a noite mean, and how is it different from à noite or de noite?
Durante a noite literally means “throughout the night” or “overnight,” implying the whole period. À noite (or de noite) simply means “at night” but doesn’t stress duration. For chilling something all night, durante a noite is clearer.
Can I move durante a noite to the front of the sentence?
Yes. “Durante a noite, guardo a massa no congelador para não perder o sabor” is perfectly grammatical. Fronting the time phrase adds emphasis on when the action happens.