Question 1

What does the verb form aumenta express here? Is it “does it now” or “does it usually”?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

Why is the definite article used in o volume? Can I drop the o?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

Why is it com o and not no or pelo?

Accepted Answer

- 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.

Question 4

What exactly does comando da televisão mean in Portugal?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

What is da in da televisão?

Accepted Answer

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).

Question 6

What are the noun genders here, and how do they affect articles/pronouns?

Accepted Answer

- 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).

Question 7

Are there more natural everyday ways to say this?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

What’s the opposite of aumentar o volume?

Accepted Answer

- baixar o volume (very common)
- diminuir o volume
- reduzir o volume
Colloquially: baixar o som.

Question 9

How do I replace o volume with a pronoun correctly?

Accepted Answer

- 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.

Question 10

Can I omit the subject Ela?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 11

Can I move com o comando da televisão to the beginning?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Com o comando da televisão, ela aumenta o volume. This fronting adds slight emphasis to the instrument but is perfectly grammatical.

Question 12

Any quick European Portuguese pronunciation tips for this sentence?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 13

Is televisor acceptable instead of televisão?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 14

Can I just say o comando without da televisão?

Accepted Answer

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).

Question 15

Is aumentar always transitive here?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 16

Does com ever contract with articles like de does?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 17

Is levantar o volume okay?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 18

Is Ela aumenta o volume da televisão different from the original?

Accepted Answer

- 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.

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