Breakdown of Uma vida sustentável começa quando reutilizamos cada saco várias vezes.
quando
when
uma
a
começar
to start
cada
each
a vida
the life
a vez
the time
sustentável
sustainable
reutilizar
to reuse
o saco
the bag
várias
several
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Portuguese grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Uma vida sustentável começa quando reutilizamos cada saco várias vezes.
Why is the noun vida preceded by the indefinite article uma?
In Portuguese, abstract or general statements often use the indefinite article. Uma vida sustentável means “a sustainable life” in a generic sense, not a specific life. Unlike English, Portuguese typically keeps the article even with abstract nouns.
Why does the adjective sustentável come after the noun vida?
Portuguese places most descriptive adjectives after the noun. So vida sustentável (“life sustainable”) is the normal word order. Placing an adjective before (e.g. sustentável vida) is poetic or emphatic and not standard.
What is the function of quando in this sentence?
Quando is a conjunction meaning “when.” It introduces a temporal clause: “when we reuse each bag several times.” It links the main clause (Uma vida sustentável começa) with the condition under which that life begins.
Why is the verb reutilizamos in the present indicative (first‐person plural) and not another tense or the subjunctive?
Since the sentence states a factual, general truth, Portuguese uses the present indicative reutilizamos for “we reuse.” The subjunctive (e.g. reutilizarmos) would be used after conjunctions expressing doubt, wish or hypothetical actions—and in Portuguese quando + subjunctive happens only when you refer to future or uncertain events, not general truths.
Could I use reutilizarmos (present subjunctive) instead of reutilizamos here?
No. Here quando introduces a real/definite action, so the indicative is required. The subjunctive after quando is reserved for uncertain or future events (e.g., Quando chegarmos lá, veremos – “When we arrive there, we will see”).
What’s the difference between cada saco and todos os sacos?
Cada saco means “each bag,” emphasizing individual items reused multiple times. Todos os sacos means “all the bags,” focusing on the whole group. Using cada stresses the repeated reuse of every single bag.
Why use várias vezes instead of muitas vezes?
Várias vezes means “several times,” suggesting a moderate number of repetitions. Muitas vezes means “many times,” highlighting a large number. Both are correct, but várias is often used to encourage reuse without specifying an overwhelming count.
Can I say cada sacola instead of cada saco?
In Portugal, saco is the common word for a (plastic/shopping) bag. Sacola is more Brazilian Portuguese. Using sacola in Portugal may sound odd or borrowed from Brazilian usage, so saco is preferred.