Learn Portuguese (Portugal): Nós decidimos subcontratar a equipa, na medida em que é rápida. - We decided to subcontract the team, insofar as it is fast.

Nós decidimos subcontratar a equipa, na medida em que é rápida.

We decided to subcontract the team, insofar as it is fast.

Breakdown of Nós decidimos subcontratar a equipa, na medida em que é rápida.

Questions & Answers about Nós decidimos subcontratar a equipa, na medida em que é rápida.

How does the prefix sub- work in the word subcontratar?

The prefix sub- indicates a lower level in a hierarchy (under or secondary). Here, it attaches to contratar (to hire or contract). A main contractor hires someone else to do part of the work, creating a secondary contract. Other examples include subdiretor (deputy director) or subsolo (subsoil or basement).

What does the phrase na medida em que mean, and how is it different from just saying porque?

na medida em que translates to "insofar as" or "to the extent that". While you could use porque (because) to simply state the reason, na medida em que is a more advanced, formal connector. It means that the decision to subcontract the team is specifically justified by the fact that they are fast.

I often confuse na medida em que with à medida que. What is the difference?

They look similar but have different meanings! na medida em que gives a reason or condition, meaning "insofar as" or "given that". à medida que expresses a simultaneous progression over time, meaning "as" or "while" (for example, getting tired as you run).

Why is there no pronoun before é rápida?