Breakdown of O comprar por impulso é um sintoma do consumismo.
ser
to be
de
of / from / by (means of transport) / wearing (attire)
um
a / an / some (all forms)
comprar
to buy
Questions & Answers about O comprar por impulso é um sintoma do consumismo.
Why is there an O before the verb comprar?
This is the exact topic of your current lesson: substantivation of the infinitive. By putting the masculine definite article o in front of the infinitive comprar, we turn the verb into a noun. It refers to the act of buying and translates well to the English gerund buying when used as the subject of a sentence.
Is the article O strictly necessary, or could I just say Comprar por impulso?
Will a substantivized infinitive always use the masculine singular article o?
Yes. Whenever you convert a verb into a noun using a definite article, it is always treated as a masculine singular noun. You will never see a feminine article used to substantivize a verb in this way.
Why do we use the preposition por in the phrase por impulso?
In Portuguese, the preposition por is frequently used to indicate the motive, cause, or driving force behind an action. Here, it translates naturally to on impulse or out of impulse, showing that the buying was triggered by a sudden urge.