Question 1

Why do we use doa instead of the normal present tense dói here?

Accepted Answer

The phrase por mais que, meaning 'no matter how much' or 'even if', introduces a concessive clause. This means the paddling must happen despite the pain. In Portuguese, por mais que always triggers the subjunctive mood, which is why we use the present subjunctive doa rather than the regular indicative dói.

Question 2

Where does the form doa come from? Is it irregular?

Accepted Answer

Yes, doa is an irregular form of the verb doer (to hurt). To form the present subjunctive, we usually take the 'eu' (I) form of the present indicative, which for this verb is doo. From there, we add the subjunctive endings to get doa, doas, doa, doamos, and doam. Since 'it' is hurting, we use the third-person singular doa.

Question 3

Could I use por muito que instead of por mais que in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Both por mais que and por muito que translate to 'no matter how much' and are interchangeable when describing the intensity of an action. Just remember that both expressions will force the verb that follows into the subjunctive mood.

Question 4

Why is it tens de remar rather than tens que remar?

Accepted Answer

In everyday spoken Portuguese, you will frequently hear people say ter que to express an obligation. However, traditional grammar dictates that ter de is the correct phrase to mean 'have to'. Using tens de is considered standard and is the best choice, especially in written Portuguese.

Tens de remar mais depressa, por mais que doa.

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