Breakdown of O artesão quase que deixou cair a haste.
o
him/it (m)
cair
to fall
quase
almost
deixar
to leave (behind) / to quit / to let (allow)
o artesão
the artisan (m)
que
expletive que after 'quase' (emphatic particle)
a haste
the rod
Questions & Answers about O artesão quase que deixou cair a haste.
Why is there a que right after quase in this sentence?
Can I just remove the que and say O artesão quase deixou cair a haste?
Absolutely. Because the que is just an emphatic particle here, removing it leaves a perfectly correct and natural sentence. You will see both versions in Portuguese, though keeping the que is very common in everyday spoken language.
Why use deixou cair instead of a specific verb for 'to drop'?
Portuguese doesn't have a single, common direct equivalent for the accidental meaning of 'to drop'. Instead, it uses the verb deixar (to let) followed by cair (to fall). So literally, the artisan 'let the rod fall'.
What exactly is a haste?
A haste is a versatile noun used for a long, thin support structure. Depending on the context, it can translate to a rod, a metal shaft, the stem of a flower, a flagpole (haste da bandeira), or even the arms of a pair of eyeglasses.
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