Breakdown of Encontrámos um defeito no sistema, pelo que solicitamos a ajuda.
um
a / an / some (all forms)
em
in / on / at
a ajuda
the help
encontrar
to find
o sistema
the system
o defeito
the defect
pelo que
therefore / which is why (for which reason)
solicitar
to request
Questions & Answers about Encontrámos um defeito no sistema, pelo que solicitamos a ajuda.
How exactly does pelo que work here, and is it different from saying por isso?
Why is there an accent mark on Encontrámos but not on solicitamos, since they are both 'we' verbs?
In European Portuguese, the acute accent on Encontrámos indicates it is in the past tense (Pretérito Perfeito). This distinguishes it from the present tense encontramos. Since solicitamos is in the present tense here (we are currently requesting help), it does not take an accent. If it were also in the past tense, it would be spelled solicitámos.
Is solicitamos a common word for asking for help?
Why is there an a before ajuda? Doesn't the English translation just say 'help' without an article?
Portuguese frequently uses definite articles for abstract nouns or general concepts where English leaves them out. While you can correctly say solicitamos ajuda, using a ajuda sounds slightly more specific, as if you are asking for the specific help that is necessary or expected to fix this particular system defect.
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