Breakdown of O anfitrião vai-se embora discretamente.
ir-se embora
to go away
o anfitrião
the host
discretamente
discreetly
Questions & Answers about O anfitrião vai-se embora discretamente.
Why do we need -se embora instead of just saying O anfitrião vai?
Why is the pronoun attached to the end of the verb (vai-se) instead of coming before it?
In European Portuguese, pronouns normally attach to the end of the verb with a hyphen in simple affirmative sentences. There are no 'magnet words' here (like negative words, question words, or conjunctions) that would pull the se to the front of the verb.
How would this sentence change if the host were a woman?
The translation says 'is going away', but isn't vai the simple present tense?
Yes! In Portuguese, the simple present tense is frequently used to describe actions happening right now. You don't always need to use the continuous form (such as está a ir) to mean 'is doing' something, especially with verbs of movement like ir.
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