Breakdown of Eu reparo que o fio da lâmpada está cortado e a luz não acende.
eu
I
de
of
estar
to be
e
and
não
not
que
that
reparar
to notice
a luz
the light
acender
to turn on
a lâmpada
the lamp
o fio
the wire
cortado
cut
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Questions & Answers about Eu reparo que o fio da lâmpada está cortado e a luz não acende.
Why does reparar here mean “to notice” instead of “to repair”?
In European Portuguese reparar has two main senses:
- “to repair/fix”
- “to notice/observe”
Context tells you which meaning applies. In this sentence, you’re reporting an observation, so eu reparo = “I notice.”
Why is there que after reparo? Could I omit it?
Que is a conjunction introducing the subordinate clause that explains what you’ve noticed. You cannot leave it out; reparar que is the fixed pattern for “to notice that.”
Why is it o fio da lâmpada instead of o fio de a lâmpada?
Portuguese contracts de + a into da, so o fio da lâmpada literally means “the wire of the lamp.”
What role does cortado play in o fio da lâmpada está cortado?
Cortado is the past participle of cortar, functioning as an adjective. The construction estar + past participle describes a resulting state: “the wire is cut.”
Why doesn’t the sentence say a luz não acende-se?
In Portuguese acender can be used intransitively for a light or device switching on by itself:
- “A lâmpada acende.”
You don’t need the reflexive pronoun. Native speakers simply say a luz não acende for “the light doesn’t come on.”
What’s the difference between a luz não acende and a luz não está acesa?
- A luz não acende: Emphasizes the action/process – “the light doesn’t come on.”
- A luz não está acesa: Emphasizes the state/result – “the light is not lit.”
Can I drop the subject eu and just say Reparo que…?
Yes. Subject pronouns are often omitted in Portuguese because the verb ending already indicates the subject. Reparo que… is perfectly natural.
Are there synonyms for reparar que to mean “notice that”?
Yes. You can also say:
- perceber que
- notar que
- constatar que
All convey “to notice/realize that.”