One wolf, all wolves
With the definite article, a singular noun can name the WHOLE species or class:
| The wolf is a wild animal. | O lobo é um animal selvagem. |
O lobo here is not one wolf — it is wolves as such. English drops the article ("wolves are wild animals"); Portuguese keeps it and keeps the singular.
| generic | reading |
|---|---|
| O lobo é selvagem. | wolves in general |
| A mulher vive mais do que o homem. | women vs men as classes |
| O português adora café. | the Portuguese in general |
| Women live longer than men, on average. | A mulher vive, em média, mais do que o homem. |
The plural works too (os lobos são selvagens), but the singular-generic is the written-register hallmark worth recognising.
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