Breakdown of A relva do jardim está molhada depois da chuva.
de
of
estar
to be
depois de
after
o jardim
the garden
a chuva
the rain
molhado
wet
a relva
the grass
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Questions & Answers about A relva do jardim está molhada depois da chuva.
What does relva mean in this sentence?
relva in European Portuguese refers to the grass covering the ground, especially a lawn. In English you can translate it as “grass” or “lawn.”
Why is there an article a before relva?
Portuguese typically uses the definite article before nouns like relva, even when English often omits “the.” It’s simply the natural way to say “the grass” in Portuguese.
Why do we see do in relva do jardim instead of de o?
do is the contraction of de + o (“of the”). Since jardim is masculine singular, “de o jardim” becomes do jardim.
Why is the verb está (from estar) used here instead of é (from ser)?
In Portuguese, estar describes temporary states or conditions (like being wet), whereas ser describes inherent or permanent characteristics. So we use está for “is wet.”
Why is the adjective molhada feminine instead of masculine?
Adjectives in Portuguese agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. relva is feminine singular, so molhada must also be feminine singular.
Why does the phrase say depois da chuva and not depois de chuva?
When referring to a specific event (“the rain”), you need the definite article. da is the contraction of de + a, giving “after the rain.”
Why is there an article before chuva (“a chuva”) when English often drops “the” before weather words?
Portuguese frequently uses the definite article with weather and other abstract nouns. So you say a chuva rather than just chuva.
Can I use grama instead of relva? Is that a regional difference?
Yes. In Brazilian Portuguese grama is more common for “grass/lawn.” In European Portuguese relva is the standard term, though both are understood.
How would you pronounce relva, jardim, and molhada in European Portuguese?
A rough guide:
- relva: [ˈʁɛɫ.vɐ] (the initial r is a guttural sound, similar to an “h” in the throat)
- jardim: [ʒaɾˈdĩ] (the final “m” nasalizes the preceding vowel)
- molhada: [muˈʎaðɐ] (the lh is like the “lli” in English “million”)
Could I rephrase this sentence using the verb “chover,” as in “Depois de chover, a relva do jardim está molhada.” Is that correct?
Yes. Depois de chover uses the infinitive “to rain” to mean “after it rained.” It’s a perfectly natural alternative word order in Portuguese.