Breakdown of A tatuagem é permanente, se bem que possas tapar o desenho.
ser
to be
poder
can / may (verb)
o desenho
the drawing
se bem que
even though
a tatuagem
the tattoo
permanente
permanent
tapar
to cover (a hole or opening)
Questions & Answers about A tatuagem é permanente, se bem que possas tapar o desenho.
Why is possas in the subjunctive mood here?
The phrase se bem que is a concessive conjunction meaning "although" or "even though". In Portuguese, it always requires the following verb to be in the subjunctive mood. That is why we use the subjunctive possas instead of the present indicative podes.
Could I use embora instead of se bem que in this sentence?
Yes, you could say embora possas tapar o desenho. Both mean "even though" or "although" and both trigger the subjunctive. However, se bem que is especially common in the middle of a sentence when adding a contrasting afterthought or concession, just like in this example.
Why use tapar for "cover" rather than cobrir?
Both verbs mean "to cover", but tapar strongly implies hiding something from view, blocking it, or putting a lid on it. Since the goal is to hide the tattoo so it cannot be seen, tapar is the most natural choice here, though cobrir would also be understood.
Why is desenho translated as "design" rather than "drawing"?
The literal translation of desenho is indeed "drawing". However, when talking about tattoos, it refers to the specific art or image inked on the skin. In English, we naturally call this the tattoo's "design", so that is the most accurate contextual translation.
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