Breakdown of A data do exame é importante.
ser
to be
de
of
o exame
the exam
importante
important
a data
the date
Questions & Answers about A data do exame é importante.
Why does this sentence use a before data?
Because data is a feminine singular noun in Portuguese, it needs the feminine singular definite article a, equivalent to “the.” So a data means “the date.”
Why do we say do exame and not da exame or just de exame?
Because exame is a masculine noun, de + o exame contracts to do exame. da exame would be incorrect (that contraction is de + a, used with feminine nouns). Omitting the article (de exame) sounds unnatural here.
Why is é used here instead of está?
Portuguese uses ser (here é) to express inherent characteristics or facts, like importance. estar indicates a temporary state or location, which doesn’t fit the idea of an essential quality.
Why do we use data instead of dia when talking about dates?
data refers specifically to a calendar date (day, month, and year). dia means “day” as in the 24-hour period. While o dia do exame can be used to mean “the day of the exam,” data is more precise for scheduling.
Can we drop the article and write Data do exame é importante?
In headings or bullet points, dropping the article is common. But in full sentences, standard Portuguese uses the article: A data do exame é importante.
How do you ask “What is the exam date?” in Portuguese?
You say Qual é a data do exame?, literally “Which is the date of the exam?”
How would you change this sentence to talk about multiple exams?
Make everything plural: As datas dos exames são importantes.
Why is the adjective importante placed after é?
In Portuguese, predicate adjectives (those linked by a verb like ser) typically follow the verb. So A data do exame é importante corresponds to English “The exam date is important,” with importante describing the subject.
Does data ever mean “data” as in digital information?
Usually “data” (information) translates to dados (plural). The singular data in Portuguese almost always refers to a calendar date. For digital information, you’d say os dados.
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