Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): O vento do norte traz ar mais fresco no fim do verão. - The north wind brings cooler air at the end of the summer.

do is a contraction of de (of/from) + o (the definite article “the”). In Portuguese you usually say vento do norte (literally “wind of the north”) rather than just vento norte. Omitting the article here sounds unnatural.

What verb form is traz?

traz is the 3rd person singular present indicative of the verb trazer (to bring). So o vento do norte traz means “the north wind brings.”

Why use mais fresco instead of mais frio?

In weather contexts, fresco means “cool” (pleasantly cool), while frio means “cold” (uncomfortably cold). Saying ar mais fresco emphasizes a refreshing, lighter coolness. mais frio would stress a stronger drop in temperature.

How do you form comparatives in Portuguese?

Place mais (more) before the adjective:
– mais + adjective = “more …”
So mais fresco = “fresher” or “cooler.”
For “less …” you use menos + adjective (e.g. menos quente = “less hot”).

Why is no fim do verão used instead of em fim do verão?

Portuguese contracts em (in/at) + o (the) into no. Thus:
– em o fim → no fim
Without contraction em o fim is ungrammatical.

Could you say final do verão instead of fim do verão?

Yes. fim and final are synonyms here. Both no fim do verão and no final do verão are correct. fim is more colloquial; final may sound a bit more formal.

Why is there no article before ar in traz ar mais fresco?

When referring to general, uncountable substances (air, water, etc.), Portuguese often omits the article. So you say traz ar mais fresco (“brings cooler air”) rather than traz o ar unless you’re speaking of a specific air already mentioned.

Why is the adjective phrase mais fresco placed after ar, and not before?

In Portuguese, adjectives (and adjective phrases like mais fresco) typically follow the noun they modify. So you say ar mais fresco rather than mais fresco ar. This word order is standard for descriptive adjectives.