Breakdown of Nós passámos a ter um consumo bastante consciente.
nós
we
ter
to have
um
a / an / some (all forms)
bastante
quite, plenty (of)
passar a
to start to (do) / to turn into (change into)
o consumo
the consumption
consciente
conscious
Questions & Answers about Nós passámos a ter um consumo bastante consciente.
What is the difference between using passámos a ter and começámos a ter here?
While both can translate to "we started to have", using passar a followed by an infinitive emphasizes a transition or a change in state. It strongly implies that before this point, their consumption was not conscious, highlighting a deliberate shift to a new habit.
Why is there an accent mark on passámos?
In European Portuguese, the acute accent on passámos indicates that it is in the simple past tense. Without the accent, passamos would be the present tense. This accent also tells you to pronounce the "a" with an open sound, distinguishing it from the closed sound of the present tense.
Why doesn't the word bastante change to agree with anything?
Is consumo consciente a common phrase in Portuguese?
Yes, consumo consciente is the standard set phrase for "mindful consumption" or "ethical shopping" in Portuguese. It is widely used when discussing environmental awareness or responsible spending habits.
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