Breakdown of O avião é complicado de montar, mas o acabamento é recompensador.
ser
to be
de
of / from / by (means of transport) / wearing (attire)
mas
but
o avião
the airplane
o
him/it (m)
montar
to assemble
complicado
complicated
o acabamento
the finish
recompensador
rewarding
Questions & Answers about O avião é complicado de montar, mas o acabamento é recompensador.
Why do we need the preposition 'de' between 'complicado' and 'montar'?
This structure connects a specific subject (o avião) to an evaluative adjective (complicado) and an action (montar). In Portuguese, when the object of the action is placed at the front as the subject, you must link the adjective to the infinitive verb using the preposition de.
If I wanted to say 'It is complicated to assemble the airplane' instead, would I still use 'de'?
I know 'montar' means 'to ride' (like a horse). Is it the standard verb for 'to assemble' as well?
Does 'acabamento' refer only to a physical finish like paint or polish?
It can refer to the physical coating, but it more broadly describes the final result, the finishing touches, or the overall quality of the completed work. It comes directly from the verb acabar (to finish or to end).
If we were talking about multiple airplanes, what parts of the first clause would change?
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