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Questions & Answers about O corredor é estreito.
What does each word do in this sentence?
- O: definite article (masculine singular), “the.”
- corredor: masculine noun, “corridor/hallway.”
- é: 3rd person singular present of ser (“to be”), “is.”
- estreito: adjective “narrow,” masculine singular to agree with corredor.
Why is it é (ser) and not está (estar)?
Use ser for inherent, defining characteristics; use estar for temporary states or results of change.
- O corredor é estreito. = The corridor is inherently narrow.
- O corredor está estreito por causa das caixas. = It’s narrow right now because of boxes (a temporary condition).
Why is the adjective estreito masculine, and how does agreement work?
Adjectives agree in gender and number with the noun they modify.
- Masculine singular: estreito (matches corredor).
- Feminine singular: estreita (e.g., A rua é estreita.).
- Masculine plural: estreitos.
- Feminine plural: estreitas.
How do I say “The corridors are narrow”?
Os corredores são estreitos.
- O → Os
- corredor → corredores
- é → são (3rd person plural of ser)
- estreito → estreitos (masc. plural)
How would I say “a narrow corridor” instead of “the corridor is narrow”?
- Describing a type of corridor: um corredor estreito.
- Statement with indefinite subject: Um corredor é estreito. (less common without more context; typically you’d use it attributively: Há um corredor estreito.)
Can the adjective go before the noun (e.g., “um estreito corredor”)?
Yes, but post-nominal is more neutral: um corredor estreito. Preposing (um estreito corredor) is possible for stylistic emphasis or a more literary tone. In everyday speech, keep it after the noun.
How do I negate it?
Place não before the verb:
- O corredor não é estreito.
How do I ask “Is the corridor narrow?” in European Portuguese?
- O corredor é estreito? (rising intonation)
- If the context is clear, you can drop the subject: É estreito?
What are some useful intensifiers with estreito?
- Very: muito estreito
- Quite/pretty: bastante estreito
- A bit: um pouco / um bocadinho estreito
- Too: demasiado estreito Example: O corredor é demasiado estreito para duas pessoas.
How do I make comparisons and superlatives with estreito?
- Comparative: mais estreito (do) que … (both que and do que are correct)
- Este corredor é mais estreito do que aquele.
- Superlative (relative): o mais estreito
- É o corredor mais estreito da casa.
- Superlative (absolute): muito estreito is most natural; estreitíssimo exists but sounds formal/rare.
What does corredor refer to exactly? Is it also “aisle” or “runner”?
- Primary meaning here: hallway/corridor inside a building.
- It can also mean “aisle” (e.g., on a plane/train): o corredor (aisle seat = lugar do corredor).
- It also means “runner” (athlete). In this sentence, context makes “hallway” the only natural reading, since calling a person “narrow” is odd.
Are there synonyms for “narrow” here? Is apertado okay?
- estreito is the standard choice for spaces like corridors, streets, doors.
- apertado means “tight” and is very common for clothes/shoes; it can describe a cramped space in some contexts, but for a corridor’s width, estreito is the safest, most idiomatic choice.
- More formal/rare: exíguo (very cramped/scant).
How do I talk about being “in the corridor,” “from the corridor,” “into the corridor,” or “through the corridor”?
- In the corridor: no corredor (contraction of em + o)
- From the corridor: do corredor (de + o)
- Into the corridor: para o corredor or para dentro do corredor
- Through/along the corridor: pelo corredor (por + o) or ao longo do corredor
How do I pronounce this sentence in European Portuguese?
Approximation:
- O ≈ “oo”
- corredor ≈ “koo-he-DOR” (the rr is a guttural “h” sound; final r is a light tap)
- é ≈ “eh” (open e)
- estreito ≈ “sh-TRAY-too” (initial es before a consonant sounds like “sh” in EP; final o is close to “oo”) Whole sentence: roughly “oo koo-he-DOR eh sh-TRAY-too.”
Any differences if I hear this in Brazil?
Grammar is the same. Pronunciation differs:
- Article o often sounds like “oh” in Brazil (vs. “oo” in Portugal).
- Initial es- before a consonant is “is-” in Brazil (e.g., estreito ≈ “is-TRAY-to”) instead of “sh-” in Portugal.
- The “rr” is also guttural in most Brazilian accents but quality varies by region.
Can I use this structure with other nouns and keep the same agreement pattern?
Yes. Match article, noun, verb, and adjective in gender/number:
- Feminine singular: A porta é estreita.
- Masculine plural: Os túneis são estreitos.
- Feminine plural: As ruas são estreitas.