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Questions & Answers about Eu prefiro a de algodão.
What does the bolded article a do here?
It’s the feminine singular definite article used pronominally, meaning “the one.” It stands for an implied feminine noun previously known from context (e.g., camisola, saia, camisa). So Eu prefiro a de algodão = “I prefer the cotton one (feminine).”
How does this change with masculine or plural nouns?
The article agrees with the implied noun’s gender and number:
- Masculine singular: o de algodão (e.g., about a casaco)
- Feminine plural: as de algodão (e.g., about camisolas)
- Masculine plural: os de algodão (e.g., about lençóis)
Examples:
- Prefiro o de algodão.
- Prefiro as de algodão.
- Prefiro os de algodão.
Why is it de algodão and not do algodão?
Use bare de + material to express what something is made of: de algodão, de madeira, de vidro.
do algodão = “of the cotton,” referring to a specific cotton (e.g., “the price of the cotton” = o preço do algodão), not to a material description.
Could I say uma de algodão instead of a de algodão?
Yes, but it changes the meaning:
- a de algodão = “the cotton one,” a specific, identifiable choice.
- uma de algodão = “a cotton one,” any cotton option, non-specific.
Use the definite article when the specific item is clear in context.
Do I have to say Eu or can I drop it?
You can drop it. European Portuguese often omits subject pronouns because the verb ending shows the subject.
- Neutral: Prefiro a de algodão.
- With emphasis/contrast/clarity: Eu prefiro a de algodão.
What’s the difference between prefiro and gosto mais de here?
Both express preference, but:
- preferir is a direct transitive verb: Prefiro a de algodão.
- gostar (mais) de requires de: Gosto mais da de algodão.
Note the contraction da = de + a (because you “like of the [one]”).
Could I just say Prefiro algodão?
You can, but it means “I prefer cotton” in general (the material), not “the cotton one” among specific items. To choose one item from a set, keep a de algodão.
How do I pronounce the sentence in European Portuguese?
Approximate EP pronunciation:
- Eu ≈ “ehw”
- prefiro ≈ “pruh-FEE-roo” (tapped r; final o sounds like “oo”)
- a ≈ “uh”
- de often reduces to a quick “d(uh)” and links to the next word
- algodão ≈ “al-go-DOWN” with a nasal ending; the “l” is dark
In IPA (EP): [ew pɾɨˈfiɾu ɐ d aɫɡuˈdɐ̃w̃]
Should it be à de algodão with a grave accent?
No. à is the contraction of the preposition a + the article a (crasis). The verb preferir doesn’t take the preposition a before its object, so you use the plain article a: Eu prefiro a de algodão.
Can I move de algodão elsewhere in the sentence?
No. a de algodão is a single noun phrase (“the cotton one”). You can front the whole phrase for emphasis—A de algodão, prefiro—but you shouldn’t split it or say something like “de algodão a.”
How do I say “this/that cotton one”?
Use demonstratives:
- esta de algodão = this cotton one (near the speaker)
- essa de algodão = that cotton one (near the listener)
- aquela de algodão = that cotton one (far from both)
Example: Prefiro aquela de algodão.
How would I say it with the noun explicit?
Just keep the noun:
- Prefiro a camisola de algodão.
- Prefiro o casaco de algodão.
Use the article that agrees with the noun.
Is this the same in Brazil?
Yes, Eu prefiro a de algodão is also natural in Brazil. Differences are mainly in pronunciation and the fact that Brazilian Portuguese tends to keep subject pronouns like Eu more often.
Why not use an adjective instead of de algodão?
Portuguese typically uses de + material for composition. There isn’t a common adjective meaning “cotton” for garments. Words like algodoado mean “cottony/fluffy,” which is different from “made of cotton.” So stick with de algodão.
Is there any contraction between de and algodão?
No in writing. In fast speech, de may reduce and link to the next word (sounding like a quick “d”), but you don’t write an apostrophe: it stays de algodão.