The Abstract Preposition "para com"
When describing how someone feels, behaves, or acts towards another person, use the compound preposition para com.
| towards (feelings, attitude) | para com |
Unlike para, which often indicates physical direction or an end goal, para com is strictly relational. It connects an attitude, trait, or emotion to its target.
| I have been meaning to show more empathy and understanding towards my grandmother. | Ando para mostrar mais empatia e compreensão para com a minha avó. |
| The grandfather demands respect, however, he is very strict towards the young man. | O avô exige respeito, porém, é muito severo para com o jovem. |
Para com seamlessly connects abstract nouns (like compassion, contempt, or bitterness) to the people receiving them.
| Our generation does not feel indifference, in fact, we have compassion towards the older people. | A nossa geração não sente indiferença, aliás, nós temos compaixão para com os mais velhos. |
| His attitude reveals something weird, like contempt and condescension towards the youth. | A atitude dele revela algo de esquisito, como desprezo e condescendência para com os jovens. |
| Since they do not support him, the boy feels bitterness towards the parents. | Uma vez que não o apoiam, o rapaz sente amargura para com os pais. |
No Contractions
Unlike many other prepositions in Portuguese, para com never contracts with the words that follow it. When it precedes a definite article (like o, a, os, as) or a possessive, the words remain completely separate.
| The grandfather shows a lot of affection towards the new generation. | O avô mostra muito afeto para com a nova geração. |
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