Question 1

Why use isto é here, and could I use ou seja instead?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can use them interchangeably here. Both isto é and ou seja are connectors of clarification that mean "that is" or "in other words". In this sentence, it connects the situation (carrying oxygen) to the practical clarification of what that entails (having a heavy backpack).

Question 2

Why use estavam a levar instead of just the simple past levaram?

Accepted Answer

Estavam a levar is the European Portuguese past continuous. It translates to "were carrying" and describes an ongoing, continuous background action in the past. If you used levaram ("they took" / "they carried"), it would sound like a single, completed event rather than setting the scene.

Question 3

Could I use trazer instead of levar to translate "carrying"?

Accepted Answer

Not in this context. Levar means to take or carry something away from the current point of reference to another place. Trazer means to bring something towards the speaker. Since they are moving the oxygen to the slope (para a encosta), levar is the right choice.

Question 4

Why does the sentence use era pesada (from ser) instead of estava pesada (from estar)?

Accepted Answer

Using era (the imperfect of ser) treats the heaviness as an inherent characteristic of the backpack during this trip—a bag full of oxygen simply is a heavy object. You could use estava pesada if you wanted to focus more on the temporary physical sensation of the weight at that specific moment.

Eles estavam a levar oxigénio para a encosta, isto é, a mochila era pesada.

Breakdown of Eles estavam a levar oxigénio para a encosta, isto é, a mochila era pesada.

Questions & Answers about Eles estavam a levar oxigénio para a encosta, isto é, a mochila era pesada.

Learn Eles estavam a levar oxigénio para a encosta, isto é, a mochila era pesada and more in Portuguese