Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

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'.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

In Portuguese, when stating that you have never done something in your entire life up to this moment, you use the simple past (the Pretérito Perfeito) combined with nunca. The Portuguese present perfect (tenho visto) implies a continuous or repeated action that has been happening lately, which contradicts the concept of 'never'.

Nunca vi um casal tão excêntrico.

Breakdown of Nunca vi um casal tão excêntrico.

Questions & Answers about Nunca vi um casal tão excêntrico.

Learn Nunca vi um casal tão excêntrico and more in Portuguese