Learn Portuguese (Portugal): O aparelho roça na bochecha; além disso, é doloroso. - The braces rub on the cheek; besides, it is painful.

O aparelho roça na bochecha; além disso, é doloroso.

The braces rub on the cheek; besides, it is painful.

Breakdown of O aparelho roça na bochecha; além disso, é doloroso.

Questions & Answers about O aparelho roça na bochecha; além disso, é doloroso.

The current lesson is about the verb custar (to be difficult/painful). Could we say custa-me here instead of é doloroso?

No, because custar a refers to psychological difficulty, reluctance, or effort (finding something hard to do). It does not mean physical pain. Since the braces are causing actual physical discomfort, you must use doloroso (painful) or the verb doer (to hurt).

Why is O aparelho singular when the English translation says 'braces' (plural)?

In Portuguese, orthodontic braces are referred to as a single unit or device, so you use the singular o aparelho (literally 'the apparatus'). Using the plural os aparelhos would imply completely separate devices, like braces belonging to multiple different people.

Why does the sentence use na in roça na bochecha?

The verb roçar (to rub or brush against) requires the preposition em when indicating the surface something is rubbing against. Here, em combines with the feminine definite article a (for bochecha) to form na.

What exactly does além disso mean here, and could I just use também?