Breakdown of Eu abro a pasta no computador.
eu
I
em
in
abrir
to open
o computador
the computer
a pasta
the folder
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Questions & Answers about Eu abro a pasta no computador.
Why is eu included in Eu abro a pasta no computador, and can I omit it?
In Portuguese the subject pronoun is normally optional because the verb ending tells you who’s performing the action. Including eu adds emphasis or clarity (“I open…” rather than just “Open…”). You can perfectly say Abro a pasta no computador and it still means I open the folder on the computer.
Why do I need the article a before pasta? In English I’d say “open folder” or “open the folder.”
Unlike English, European Portuguese generally requires a definite or indefinite article before singular, countable nouns. Saying a pasta means the folder, and uma pasta would mean a folder. Omitting the article sounds unnatural except in very specific contexts (e.g. headlines).
What does no stand for in no computador?
no is the contraction of em + o, literally in + the. So no computador translates as in the computer. If you wanted to say in a computer, you’d use num computador (contraction of em + um).
Why is the simple present abro used instead of a continuous form like “I am opening”?
European Portuguese normally uses the simple present to describe actions happening now. Although you can form a progressive with estar a + infinitive (e.g. Estou a abrir a pasta), using Abro a pasta is more direct and very common, especially when narrating a sequence of actions or giving instructions.
Is pasta the usual word for “folder” in Portugal? I thought arquivo was “file.”
Yes. In computing contexts pasta means folder (a container for files). Arquivo or ficheiro means file (an individual document). You may also see diretório in more technical or Unix-oriented settings, but everyday speakers say pasta.
Are there other ways to say “open the folder” in a computer context?
Definitely. You could say:
• Clicar duas vezes na pasta (double-click the folder)
• Dar um duplo-clique na pasta (give a double-click on the folder)
• Aceder à pasta (access the folder)
How do I pronounce abro and pasta with a European Portuguese accent?
A rough guide:
• abro – [ˈa.bɾu], with a tapped r like a light “tt” in American “butter.” Stress on the first syllable: AH-broo.
• pasta – [ˈpaʃ.tɐ], the s sounds like English sh, and the final a is a more closed, muted vowel (sounds like “uh”). PAH-shtuh.