Breakdown of A nossa geração não sente indiferença, aliás, nós temos compaixão para com os mais velhos.
não
not / no
nós
we
ter
to have
nosso
our
velho
old
a
to / at (direction)
mais
more
o
him/it (m)
sentir
to feel (something)
a geração
the generation
aliás
in fact / rather
para com
towards (feelings, attitude)
a indiferença
the indifference
a compaixão
the compassion
Questions & Answers about A nossa geração não sente indiferença, aliás, nós temos compaixão para com os mais velhos.
Why do we use the double preposition para com instead of just para here?
The combination para com translates to 'towards' when expressing a moral attitude, feeling, or behavior directed at someone. While para usually indicates physical direction or a simple recipient, para com highlights the relational nature of an emotion, which is why it pairs perfectly with compaixão (compassion) in this sentence.
What exactly does aliás mean in this context?
Why is it os mais velhos instead of as pessoas mais velhas?
In Portuguese, you can easily turn an adjective into a noun just by putting a definite article before it. Os mais velhos literally means 'the older ones.' It is the most natural and concise way to say 'older people' or 'the elderly' without needing to explicitly say the word pessoas.
Is it also correct to say não é indiferente instead of não sente indiferença?
Yes, saying a nossa geração não é indiferente is completely correct and means the same thing. Portuguese frequently uses the verb sentir (to feel) paired with an abstract noun (like indiferença) to express emotional states, which puts a slightly stronger focus on the internal feelings of the generation.
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