Learn Portuguese (Portugal): Encontrámos um defeito no sistema, pelo que solicitamos a ajuda. - We found a defect in the system, therefore we request help.

Encontrámos um defeito no sistema, pelo que solicitamos a ajuda.

We found a defect in the system, therefore we request help.

Breakdown of Encontrámos um defeito no sistema, pelo que solicitamos a ajuda.

a / an / some (all forms)

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?

In this sentence, pelo que acts as a conclusive connector meaning 'therefore' or 'which is why'. It serves the exact same function as por isso, but pelo que is slightly more formal and elegantly links the cause (the defect) directly to the action (requesting help) within the same sentence.

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?

It is common in formal, business, or technical contexts, exactly like the English word 'request'. In a casual, everyday situation, you would be much more likely to use pedimos (from the verb pedir, meaning to ask).

Why is there an a before ajuda? Doesn't the English translation just say 'help' without an article?