Learn Portuguese (Portugal): Nunca vi um casal tão excêntrico. - I have never seen such an eccentric couple.

Nunca vi um casal tão excêntrico.

I have never seen such an eccentric couple.

Breakdown of Nunca vi um casal tão excêntrico.

a / an / some (all forms)

Questions & Answers about Nunca vi um casal tão excêntrico.

Since the translation says 'such an eccentric couple,' why does the sentence use tão instead of tal?

In English, 'such' can modify an adjective phrase. In Portuguese, tal (such) is used directly with nouns, while tão (so) is used to intensify adjectives. Because the intensifier is modifying the adjective excêntrico, you must use tão. Literally, you are saying 'a couple so eccentric'.

How would I rewrite this sentence if I wanted to use tal instead of tão?

To use tal, you must apply it directly to a noun. You could drop the adjective and say Nunca vi tal casal or Nunca vi um tal casal (I have never seen such a couple). But if you want to include the adjective excêntrico, you must stick with tão.

Is it possible to place tão excêntrico before the noun, mimicking the English word order?

No, that would sound very unnatural. While a few adjectives can go before the noun for poetic or subjective emphasis, an adjective intensified by tão (so) almost always follows the noun it describes. You must keep it as um casal tão excêntrico.

Why is the simple past vi used when the English translation uses the present perfect 'have never seen'?