Breakdown of Eu sublinho as ideias‑chave com marcador verde.
eu
I
com
with
as
the
verde
green
sublinhar
to underline
a ideia‑chave
the key idea
o marcador
the marker
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Portuguese grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Eu sublinho as ideias‑chave com marcador verde.
Is the subject pronoun Eu necessary here?
No. Portuguese usually drops subject pronouns when the verb ending makes the subject clear. You can simply say: Sublinho as ideias‑chave com (um) marcador verde. Using Eu adds emphasis or contrast.
What tense and person is sublinho?
It’s 1st person singular, present indicative of sublinhar (“I underline/I highlight”). Full present (EP): eu sublinho, tu sublinhas, ele/ela sublinha, nós sublinhamos, vós sublinhais, eles/elas sublinham.
Does sublinhar mean “to underline” or “to highlight”?
Literally “to underline,” but in everyday European Portuguese it’s also used for “to highlight/emphasize” in texts. If you want to be explicit about a highlighter pen, many people still say sublinhar; you can also hear destacar/realçar.
Why is it as ideias‑chave and not as ideias chaves or as ideias‑chaves?
In compounds like palavra‑chave/ideia‑chave, only the first element pluralizes: palavras‑chave / ideias‑chave. The hyphen is standard, and the second element chave stays in the singular.
What’s the gender and agreement in as ideias‑chave?
Ideia is feminine; hence as and any modifiers agreeing with it are feminine plural. The compound remains feminine because ideia is the head; chave here functions like a fixed qualifier.
Why no article before marcador? Should it be com um marcador verde?
Both are correct. Com um marcador verde is the default neutral phrasing (“with a green marker”). Zero article (com marcador verde) is common in concise styles (notes, instructions) or when speaking generically about the instrument.
When would I use com o marcador verde?
When you and your listener know which specific green marker you mean (definite reference), e.g., “the green marker on the desk.”
Why is verde after the noun (marcador verde)?
Color adjectives usually follow the noun in Portuguese: marcador verde. Pre‑posing (verde marcador) is not idiomatic here except in very marked, poetic styles.
How does verde agree?
It’s gender‑invariant but changes in number: marcador verde (singular), marcadores verdes (plural); caneta verde / canetas verdes.
Can I move the instrument phrase, or must it stay at the end?
End position is most natural: Sublinho as ideias‑chave com (um) marcador verde. Fronting is possible for focus: Com um marcador verde, sublinho as ideias‑chave.
How would I replace as ideias‑chave with a pronoun?
In EP, enclisis is standard in a main affirmative clause: Sublinho‑as com (um) marcador verde. (Using -as because the noun phrase is feminine plural.)
Is there a Portugal–Brazil difference in the vocabulary?
Yes. In Portugal you often hear marcador or sublinhador (for a highlighter). In Brazil, marca‑texto is common. Spelling: ideias (no accent) is now standard in both; older Brazilian spelling had idéias.
Is ideias‑chave always hyphenated?
Yes, that’s the recommended spelling. You may see ideias chave in informal writing, but the hyphenated compound is the norm in standard European Portuguese.
Pronunciation tips (European Portuguese)?
- sublinho ≈ soo-BLEEN-yoo ([suβˈliɲu]; nh like “ny” in “canyon”)
- ideias ≈ ee-DAY-ush ([iˈðejɐʃ])
- chave ≈ SHAH-v(uh) ([ˈʃav(ɨ)]; ch = “sh”)
- com ≈ kong ([kõ], nasal “o”)
- marcador ≈ muhr-kah-DOR ([mɐɾkɐˈðoɾ])
- verde ≈ VEHRD(uh) ([ˈveɾðɨ])
Could I say ideias principais instead of ideias‑chave?
Yes. Ideias principais (“main ideas”) and ideias‑centrais (“central ideas”) are common synonyms. Ideias‑chave is a set phrase meaning “key ideas,” often preferred in academic/technical contexts.
How would I say “I’m underlining …” (progressive) in Portugal?
Use the periphrastic progressive: Estou a sublinhar as ideias‑chave com um marcador verde. (In Brazil: Estou sublinhando….)