Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): A loja de perfumaria oferece um desconto especial apenas hoje. - The perfume shop is offering a special discount only today.

In European Portuguese you normally include the definite article before singular, feminine nouns such as loja. It makes the phrase sound more natural: A loja de perfumaria…. In informal advertising copy you can drop it for a headline effect—Loja de perfumaria oferece um desconto especial apenas hoje—but in standard sentences the article stays.

What does perfumaria mean here? Could I just say perfumaria or use loja de perfumes instead?

Perfumaria is the name for a shop or department selling perfumes and cosmetics. You can shorten a loja de perfumaria to a perfumaria in conversation (“Vou à perfumaria”). Loja de perfumes is also correct but suggests you sell only perfumes, whereas perfumaria implies a wider range of beauty products.

Why is the verb oferece used here? Could we use dá or ter instead? And how is it conjugated?

In promotional contexts oferecer (“to offer”) sounds more formal and customer-focused than dar, which is more colloquial (“the store gives”). Ter um desconto (“to have a discount”) is possible but emphasizes possession, not the act of granting it. Here oferecer is in the third-person singular present indicative:
• eu ofereço
• tu ofereces
• ele/ela oferece

Why do we say um desconto especial instead of o desconto especial?

The indefinite article um signals that it’s a new, non-specific discount being introduced. If you had already mentioned the discount and both speaker and listener knew exactly which one, you’d use the definite article o desconto especial.

Why does the adjective especial come after desconto? Could it come before?

In Portuguese adjectives generally follow the noun: desconto especial. Placing especial before (especial desconto) is unidiomatic. Note that some adjectives do change nuance when moved before (e.g. grande homem vs homem grande), but especial almost always follows the noun.

What does apenas mean here? How is it different from só?

Apenas means “only” or “just” and is slightly more formal than só. They’re often interchangeable:
• apenas hoje
• só hoje
Both convey that the special discount is valid for today alone.

Could I place apenas hoje elsewhere in the sentence? Would it change the emphasis?

Yes. Neutral position is at the end: …desconto especial apenas hoje. If you start with it—Apenas hoje a loja de perfumaria oferece um desconto especial—you emphasize the time limit more strongly. A comma after hoje is common when fronted.

Can you suggest synonyms for desconto especial in marketing copy?

Sure. You might use:
• promoção
• oferta especial
• preço promocional
• promoção exclusiva
Each has a slightly different nuance but all signal a deal or reduced price.