Question 1

Why is grande placed before the noun problema here, instead of after it?

Accepted Answer

In Portuguese, placing grande before the noun emphasizes a figurative or subjective meaning. A grande problema implies a serious or significant problem. If we said um problema grande, it could literally mean a physically large problem, which is less natural in this context.

Question 2

Why is it um before problema if the word ends in -a?

Accepted Answer

Words of Greek origin ending in -ma (like problema, sistema, and programa) are masculine exceptions to the general gender rules. This is a common early-level trip-up, but it is crucial at B2 to consistently use masculine articles and modifiers with them, like um grande problema.

Question 3

Is it safe to assume words ending in -dade like irregularidade are always feminine?

Accepted Answer

Yes! The Portuguese suffix -dade usually corresponds to the English suffix -ty (as in irregularity, city, or reality) and these abstract nouns are always feminine. That is why this noun requires the feminine demonstrative Aquela and the feminine adjective financeira.

Question 4

How would I use this lesson's grammar focus (ficar a + infinitive) to say 'We found out that financial irregularity is a big problem'?

Accepted Answer

You would use the expression ficar a saber, which is the most natural way in Portugal to express finding out or learning a new fact. You would say: Ficámos a saber que aquela irregularidade financeira é um grande problema.

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