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A bibliotecária pede silêncio na biblioteca.

A bibliotecária pede silêncio na biblioteca.
The librarian asks for silence in the library.
FromLesson 37inHardcore Portuguese (Portugal)

Questions & Answers about A bibliotecária pede silêncio na biblioteca.

In this sentence, does the initial A mean “the” or “to”?
It’s the feminine singular definite article, meaning “the”. It agrees with the feminine noun bibliotecária. The preposition “to” is a, and “to the (fem.)” contracts to à (e.g., à biblioteca = to the library).
Why is it bibliotecária (feminine) and not bibliotecário (masculine)?

Portuguese job titles change with gender:

  • bibliotecária = female librarian
  • bibliotecário = male librarian The article agrees: A bibliotecária… / O bibliotecário…
Are biblioteca and bibliotecária related?
Yes. biblioteca = library (the place). bibliotecária/o = librarian (the person who works there).
How do you pronounce the sentence in European Portuguese?

Approximate: Ah bee-blee-o-teh-KÁ-ree-ah PEH-deh see-LÉN-see-oo nah bee-blee-o-TÉ-kah.
Stressed syllables are in caps. The r in -ária is a light tap, and final vowels are relatively closed.

Why use pede and not pergunta?
Because pedir = to ask for/request (a favor, silence, help), while perguntar = to ask (a question). Here she is requesting silence, not asking a question.
What tense is pede, and how is pedir conjugated in the present?

pede is third-person singular, present indicative of pedir. Present (EP):

  • eu peço (irregular)
  • tu pedes
  • ele/ela pede
  • nós pedimos
  • vocês/eles/elas pedem
Does pedir take a preposition, or a direct object?
Typically a direct object: pedir silêncio, pedir um café. If you name who you ask, add an indirect object with a: pedir silêncio aos alunos (ask the students for silence).
Can I say pede por silêncio?
No—unnatural in this meaning. Say pede silêncio, pede que façam silêncio, or pede para fazerem silêncio. Note: pedir por is used with prices (e.g., pede 10 euros por este livro) or in expressions like “pray/ask for someone.”
What’s the difference between pedir que and pedir para?

Both can introduce what you want others to do:

Where can I put por favor?

Common placements:

  • A bibliotecária pede silêncio, por favor.
  • A bibliotecária pede, por favor, silêncio. It normally comes after the verb or at the end of the request.
Why is there no article before silêncio?
Abstract/mass nouns used generically often take no article in Portuguese: pedir silêncio, pedir ajuda. You add an article if you specify or define it: pede um silêncio absoluto, pede o silêncio dos presentes.
Is silêncio countable? Can I say um silêncio?
Yes, when you mean “a (moment of) silence”: Fez-se um silêncio na sala. In your sentence it’s generic, so no article.
How else can I tell people to be quiet?
  • Strong but common: Silêncio!
  • Polite/plural: Façam silêncio! (to vocês)
  • Singular informal: Faz silêncio! (to tu)
  • More forceful: Calem-se! (plural), Cale-se! (singular formal), Cala-te! (singular informal)
What does na mean here? Could I use no?
na = em + a (“in the,” feminine). no = em + o (“in the,” masculine). Since biblioteca is feminine, it’s na biblioteca, not no.
Can I move na biblioteca to the front?
Yes: Na biblioteca, a bibliotecária pede silêncio. This is natural topic-fronting. A comma is usual but not strictly required in a short sentence.
How do I say who she is asking?

Add an indirect object with a:

  • A bibliotecária pede silêncio aos alunos. (a + os = aos) You can also use a clitic pronoun:
  • A bibliotecária pede‑lhes silêncio. (default enclisis in EP)
If it’s happening right now, do I need está a pedir?

Both work in EP:

  • pede can mean “(she) is asking (now)” or “(she) asks (habitually)”.
  • está a pedir emphasizes an ongoing action right now.
    Note: EP uses estar a + infinitive; BR uses estar + gerúndio (e.g., está pedindo).
What’s the difference between biblioteca and livraria?
  • biblioteca = library (borrow books)
  • livraria = bookshop/bookstore (buy books)
    A common false friend for English speakers.
Could A be confused with à? When do I write à?

Yes, they look similar but differ:

  • A (article) = “the” (feminine singular): A bibliotecária…
  • à = a + a (“to the,” feminine): Vai à biblioteca (go to the library)
How do I make the sentence plural?
Is Pede-se silêncio na biblioteca correct?
Yes. Pede‑se silêncio na biblioteca. This impersonal/passive construction is common on signs and announcements: “Silence is requested in the library.”
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