Question 1

In English, we say "such a mansion". Why isn't there a word for "a" (like "uma") before "tal mansão"?

Accepted Answer

When tal is used to mean "such" or "such a" to describe a noun's extraordinary quality, it replaces the article. You just say tal + noun. Adding uma (uma tal mansão) would actually change the meaning to "a certain mansion" or "some mansion," which sounds like you're vaguely referring to a specific place rather than exclaiming about its grandeur.

Question 2

Does "tal" need to agree with the feminine noun "mansão"?

Accepted Answer

Only in number, not in gender. Tal is the same for masculine and feminine nouns (tal carro, tal mansão). If it were plural, it would change to tais (tais mansões).

Question 3

Why don't we need the negative word "não" in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

Because the negative adverb nunca (never) comes before the verb visitei. In Portuguese, if a negative word precedes the verb, you drop the não. If you wanted to put nunca at the end, you would need the double negative: Não visitei tal mansão nunca! (though starting with Nunca is much more natural here).

Question 4

How would you write this sentence if it were plural ("such mansions")?

Accepted Answer

It would be Nunca visitei tais mansões! Notice that tal changes to tais, and the noun mansão changes its ending to -ões for the plural.

Nunca visitei tal mansão!

Breakdown of Nunca visitei tal mansão!

Questions & Answers about Nunca visitei tal mansão!

Learn Nunca visitei tal mansão and more in Portuguese