Breakdown of Compras o polvo à tonelada?
comprar
to buy
à
at the (fem. sg.) / to the (fem. sg.)
o
him/it (m)
o polvo
the octopus
Questions & Answers about Compras o polvo à tonelada?
Why do we use à here instead of a word for "by" or "per" like por?
In Portuguese, the preposition a combined with a definite article is the standard way to express rates and selling by a certain unit. While you might use por in other contexts, phrases like à tonelada (by the ton) or ao quilo (by the kilo) are the most natural way to express buying goods by a specific measurement.
How do I decide whether to use à or ao in these measurement phrases?
It depends entirely on the gender of the unit of measurement. Because tonelada is a feminine noun, the preposition a merges with the feminine article a to become à (with the grave accent). If the unit were masculine, like quilo, you would use ao instead (ao quilo).
Does Compras mean "Do you buy" or "Are you buying"?
The Portuguese present tense (Compras) can translate to both the English simple present ("Do you buy" as a habit) and the present continuous ("Are you buying" right now). You would rely on the surrounding context to know if the person is asking about your general seafood shopping habits or what you are doing at this exact moment.
Why is there an o before polvo?