Question 1

Why is the imperfect tense (era) used here instead of the preterite (foi) to ask about a finished trip?

Accepted Answer

When describing the characteristics, facilities, or qualities of a place in the past, Portuguese typically uses the imperfect tense (era). You are asking about the ongoing condition of the hotel during the stay. If you used foi, it would sound more like you are summarizing an entire event or action, which is why we usually say A viagem foi boa? (Was the trip good?) but O hotel era bom? (Was the hotel good?).

Question 2

What does nem por isso literally mean?

Accepted Answer

Literally, it translates to something like "not even for that" or "neither for that." However, you should treat it as a fixed, idiomatic expression that means "not really," "not particularly," or "not especially."

Question 3

Could I just answer with não instead of nem por isso?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but a simple não is a direct, flat "no." Replying with nem por isso softens the negative answer. It implies that the hotel wasn't necessarily a complete disaster, but it didn't impress the speaker either, much like saying "not really" or "it was nothing special" in English.

Question 4

Is the phrase nem por isso only used when talking about the past?

Accepted Answer

Not at all! It is highly versatile and not tied to any tense. For example, if someone asks you a present-tense question like Estás com fome? (Are you hungry?), you can reply Nem por isso to mean "Not really."

— O hotel era bom? — Nem por isso.

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