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Esse cachecol combina com o casaco.

Esse cachecol combina com o casaco.
That scarf matches the coat.
FromLesson 39inHardcore Portuguese (Portugal)

Breakdown of Esse cachecol combina com o casaco.

o casaco
the coat
esse
that
o cachecol
the scarf
combinar com
to match

Questions & Answers about Esse cachecol combina com o casaco.

What does esse indicate here? How is it different from este and aquele in European Portuguese?
Esse modifies a masculine singular noun and typically means “that” (near the listener or already mentioned). Este is “this” (near the speaker), and aquele is “that (over there)” (far from both). In everyday European Portuguese the este/esse distinction is often loose, so using esse where English has “this” is common and natural.
Could I say este cachecol instead? What changes?
Yes. Este cachecol would point to a scarf near you (the speaker) or one you’re just introducing. The meaning is essentially the same; it only changes which scarf you’re deictically pointing to. Aquele cachecol would point to one farther away.
Why is it o casaco and not um casaco or just casaco?
O casaco uses the definite article to refer to a specific, identifiable coat. Um casaco would mean “a coat” (any coat, not a specific one). Bare nouns without an article are rare in this context in European Portuguese.
What does combinar com mean exactly?
Here combinar com means “to match” or “to go well with” (in terms of color/style). It’s not “to combine” in the English sense. The construction is verb + preposition: combinar com [algo].
Do I need the preposition com after combina?
Yes. For the “match” meaning, combinar takes com: combina com. Without com it’s ungrammatical in this sense. Note that combinar can also mean “to arrange/agree (on something): Combinar um encontro (“arrange a meeting”), or Combinar com alguém (“arrange with someone”).
Are there other natural ways to say this in Portugal?

Common alternatives:

  • Esse cachecol fica bem com o casaco. (very common/neutral)
  • Esse cachecol condiz com o casaco. (a bit more formal/literary) You may also hear vai bem com, though fica bem com is more idiomatic in Portugal.
How would I make it negative?
Place não before the verb: Esse cachecol não combina com o casaco.
How does the sentence change in the plural?
  • Both plural: Esses cachecóis combinam com os casacos.
  • Only the scarf plural: Esses cachecóis combinam com o casaco.
  • Only the coat plural: Esse cachecol combina com os casacos. Note the plural of cachecol is cachecóis (stress and accent shift).
Can I switch the order to start with the coat?
Yes: O casaco combina com esse cachecol. Meaning is the same; starting with one item can slightly foreground it as the topic.
Can I drop the noun and just say Esse combina com o casaco?
You can if the referent is obvious in context. In speech you might also hear Esse aí combina com o casaco to point more clearly. If there’s any ambiguity, keep the noun: Esse cachecol.
How do I turn it into a yes/no question?
Keep the word order and use rising intonation (and a question mark in writing): Esse cachecol combina com o casaco? No auxiliary or inversion is needed.
What agreement rules are at play with esse and the articles?

They agree in gender and number with the noun:

  • Masculine singular: esse cachecol, o casaco
  • Feminine singular: essa camisa, a camisa
  • Masculine plural: esses cachecóis, os casacos
  • Feminine plural: essas camisas, as camisas
Any Portugal–Brazil differences I should know?
  • Demonstratives: In Brazil, the este/esse split (this/that) is followed more strictly; in Portugal it’s often looser in speech.
  • Vocabulary: casaco is standard in Portugal; in Brazil, jaqueta is also common for “jacket.”
  • All versions understand Esse cachecol combina com o casaco.
How do I pronounce it in European Portuguese?

Approximate guide:

  • esse: EH-seh (the double s is like English “s”)
  • cachecol: ka-she-KOL (ch = “sh”, stress on the last syllable)
  • combina: kom-BEE-nuh (final -a is a quick, relaxed sound)
  • com: nasal “kõ” (like “kohng” without the g)
  • o casaco: oo ka-ZA-koo (s between vowels sounds like “z”; final -o sounds like “oo”)
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