Breakdown of Ela aumenta o volume com o comando da televisão.
ela
she
de
of
com
with
a televisão
the television
o volume
the volume
aumentar
to turn up
o comando
the remote
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Questions & Answers about Ela aumenta o volume com o comando da televisão.
What does the verb form aumenta express here? Is it “does it now” or “does it usually”?
In European Portuguese, the simple present can express both:
- a current action (context-dependent): “She is turning up the volume.”
- a habitual action: “She (usually) turns up the volume.” If you want to be explicit about an ongoing action, prefer Ela está a aumentar o volume.
Why is the definite article used in o volume? Can I drop the o?
Portuguese typically uses the definite article with concrete, specific nouns. Here, it’s “the volume” of that device, so o volume is expected. Dropping the article (aumenta volume) sounds unnatural in standard European Portuguese.
Why is it com o and not no or pelo?
- com o marks the instrument: “with the remote.”
- no = “on the” (location), e.g., no comando would suggest “on the remote,” which fits actions like pressing buttons, not the instrument.
- pelo (“by/through the”) is uncommon here. So com o comando is the idiomatic choice.
What exactly does comando da televisão mean in Portugal?
It means the TV remote control. In Portugal:
- o comando or o telecomando = remote control (most common)
- In Brazil: o controle remoto Here, da televisão just clarifies which device the remote belongs to.
What is da in da televisão?
It’s a contraction: de + a = da (“of the,” feminine singular). Since televisão is feminine, you get da televisão. Other forms: do (de + o), dos (de + os), das (de + as).
What are the noun genders here, and how do they affect articles/pronouns?
- comando: masculine → o comando
- volume: masculine → o volume
- televisão: feminine → a televisão If you replace o volume with a pronoun, use masculine singular: o (e.g., aumenta-o).
Are there more natural everyday ways to say this?
Yes, common alternatives:
- Ela aumenta o som (com o comando).
- Ela sobe o volume / sobe o som.
- Ela põe o som mais alto. All are idiomatic in Portugal.
What’s the opposite of aumentar o volume?
- baixar o volume (very common)
- diminuir o volume
- reduzir o volume Colloquially: baixar o som.
How do I replace o volume with a pronoun correctly?
- Neutral affirmative: Ela aumenta-o (com o comando). [enclisis with hyphen]
- With an infinitive: Vai aumentá-lo.
- With negation or other proclisis triggers: Ela não o aumenta. In EP, enclisis (verb + hyphen + pronoun) is very common in affirmative sentences.
Can I omit the subject Ela?
Yes. Portuguese is pro‑drop. Aumenta o volume com o comando da televisão. is fine when context makes the subject clear. Keep Ela if you need emphasis or clarity.
Can I move com o comando da televisão to the beginning?
Yes: Com o comando da televisão, ela aumenta o volume. This fronting adds slight emphasis to the instrument but is perfectly grammatical.
Any quick European Portuguese pronunciation tips for this sentence?
Approximation: “EH-luh ow-MEN-tuh oo voo-LOO-m(uh) kõ oo koo-MAN-doo duh tɨ-lɨ-vee-ZOWN.” Notes:
- ão in televisão is a nasal “own.”
- Unstressed vowels often reduce (e.g., final e in volume can be very weak).
- com o is often linked in speech.
Is televisor acceptable instead of televisão?
televisor (TV set) is correct but less common in everyday speech in Portugal. People usually say a televisão to mean the device. o comando do televisor is correct but sounds more formal/technical.
Can I just say o comando without da televisão?
Yes. In context, o comando usually implies the TV remote. da televisão is added for clarity or contrast (e.g., distinguishing it from the air‑conditioner remote: o comando do ar condicionado).
Is aumentar always transitive here?
With a direct object, yes: Ela aumenta o volume.
It can also be intransitive when the thing itself increases: O volume aumenta. Both uses are normal.
Does com ever contract with articles like de does?
Not in modern standard usage. You say com o, com a, etc. In fast speech you may hear something like “c’o,” but in writing keep com o.
Is levantar o volume okay?
No. Use aumentar o volume, subir o volume, or pôr o som mais alto. levantar works with a voz (raise one’s voice), not with volume.
Is Ela aumenta o volume da televisão different from the original?
- Ela aumenta o volume da televisão. focuses on what is being increased (the TV’s volume).
- Ela aumenta o volume com o comando da televisão. adds how it’s done (with the TV remote). Both are natural; the latter explicitly mentions the instrument.