Questions & Answers about Sim, o gato é muito dócil.
Since the current lesson is about the quantifier 'ambos', how would I change this sentence to say 'Yes, both cats are very docile'?
You would say Sim, ambos os gatos são muito dóceis. Remember that in European Portuguese, ambos must be followed by the definite article (os or as) when modifying a noun. You cannot just say ambos gatos.
If I change this sentence to talk about 'both cats', what is the plural form of dócil?
The plural is dóceis. For adjectives ending in an unaccented -il, you drop the -l and add -eis. The acute accent mark is added to the o to maintain the correct stress on the first syllable.
Why does this sentence use é (from the verb ser) instead of está (from the verb estar)?
We use é because being dócil (docile or gentle) is being presented as an inherent, permanent personality trait of this specific cat, rather than just a temporary mood of calmness.
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