De repente, o alarme tocou.

Suddenly, the alarm rang.

Breakdown of De repente, o alarme tocou.

• tocar: to ring
• o alarme: the alarm
• de repente: suddenly

Questions & Answers about De repente, o alarme tocou.

What does de repente add to the sentence beyond simply “suddenly”?

It conveys abruptness and unexpectedness, like “all of a sudden.” It often signals a sudden change of state or a surprise event, which fits an alarm going off.

Can de repente go at the end of the sentence?

Yes. Both are correct:

• De repente, o alarme tocou.
• O alarme tocou de repente. Putting it first gives a bit more emphasis to the suddenness.

Do I need the comma after de repente?

It’s recommended when de repente is fronted, because it’s an introductory adverbial: De repente, o alarme tocou. You can omit it in very informal writing, but the comma is standard.

Why is it o alarme and not just alarme?

Portuguese uses definite articles more than English. O alarme means “the alarm,” implying a specific alarm (the one we have in mind, like the house alarm or the alarm clock). Without the article would sound odd here.

Could I say um alarme instead of o alarme?