Breakdown of O meu prato preferido é peixe grelhado.
Questions & Answers about O meu prato preferido é peixe grelhado.
In European Portuguese, possessives are usually used with a definite article. So you typically say:
- o meu (masculine singular)
- a minha (feminine singular)
- os meus (masculine plural)
- as minhas (feminine plural)
That’s why you get O meu prato... rather than just Meu prato.... Dropping the article (e.g., Meu prato...) is much more common in Brazilian Portuguese; in Portugal it can sound Brazilian or marked/stylistic. The O is capitalized only because it’s at the start of the sentence; it’s pronounced roughly like “oo”.
They must agree in gender and number:
- Feminine singular: A minha sopa preferida é peixe grelhado.
- Masculine plural: Os meus pratos preferidos são peixe(s) grelhado(s) (though you’d more naturally specify: são pratos de peixe grelhado or name different dishes).
- Feminine plural: As minhas sopas preferidas são...
Prato can mean both. Context tells you which:
- Physical plate: Parti um prato. (I broke a plate.)
- A prepared dish/meal: Qual é o teu prato preferido? (What’s your favorite dish?) In this sentence it clearly means “dish.”
They’re near-synonyms in everyday use.
- preferido = preferred, favorite (very common in Portugal)
- favorito = favorite (also common) You might also hear in Portugal: de eleição (idiomatic: “of choice”). predileto exists but sounds more literary/dated. Avoid preferencial for tastes; it means “preferential” (e.g., lane, treatment), not “favorite.”
Use the article when you’re being specific:
- O meu prato preferido é o peixe grelhado do restaurante X. (that specific grilled-fish dish at that place)
- Entre as opções de hoje, o meu prato preferido é o peixe grelhado. (the specific menu item called “grilled fish”)
Yes, adjectives agree in gender and number with the noun:
- Masculine singular: peixe grelhado
- Feminine singular: carne grelhada
- Masculine plural: bifes grelhados
- Feminine plural: sardinhas grelhadas
Yes. Common alternatives:
- Prefiro peixe grelhado. (I prefer grilled fish.)
- Gosto de peixe grelhado. (I like grilled fish.)
- Gosto mais de peixe grelhado. (I like grilled fish more.) These express preference but not necessarily “favorite dish” as strongly as o meu prato preferido é....
Approximate guide: “oo MEW PRAH-too preh-feh-REE-doo eh PAYSH greh-LYAH-doo” Notes:
- lh in grelhado = the “lli” sound in English “million” (but as one consonant).
- x in peixe = “sh” (so PAYSH).
- Single r (as in prato, grelhado) = a light tap/flap, not the English R.
- Final -o often sounds like “-oo”.
- é sounds like open “eh”.
- é (with an accent) = “is” (3rd person singular of ser).
- e (no accent) = “and.” In speech they’re distinct; in writing the accent is essential to avoid confusion.
Very close. A Brazilian would more typically drop the article with the possessive:
- Meu prato preferido é peixe grelhado. Pronunciation differs (e.g., final -ado often sounds like “-ah-du” in Brazil), but the vocabulary and structure are fully understood on both sides.
- Um dos meus pratos preferidos é peixe grelhado.
If the noun is feminine/plural, adjust accordingly: - Uma das minhas comidas favoritas é peixe grelhado.
Yes, but it changes the nuance slightly:
- A minha comida favorita é peixe grelhado. (my favorite food is grilled fish)
- O meu prato preferido é peixe grelhado. (my favorite dish is grilled fish) Prato talks about a dish/meal; comida is broader (“food”).