Breakdown of Sem emprego, ele não consegue pagar a casa.
a casa
the house
pagar
to pay
conseguir
to manage / to get / obtain
o emprego
the job, the employment
Questions & Answers about Sem emprego, ele não consegue pagar a casa.
Why is there no article before emprego? Shouldn't it be sem um emprego?
In Portuguese, when expressing a general state or condition, the indefinite article is usually dropped after the preposition sem (without). Using sem emprego is the most natural way to say someone is in a state of unemployment, whereas sem um emprego sounds like they are missing one specific job.
Why does this sentence use consegue instead of pode? Both can mean "can".
The verb conseguir is used for ability, overcoming a difficulty, or having the means to achieve something. Poder is generally used for permission or circumstantial possibility. Here, paying the house requires financial means, so não consegue emphasizes that he lacks the capability or means to do it, rather than lacking permission.
Why is there no word for "for" after pagar? In English we "pay for" the house.
The Portuguese verb pagar (to pay) takes the item or service being bought as a direct object, meaning it doesn't need a preposition. You simply say pagar a casa (pay the house) or pagar a conta (pay the bill). If you mention the person or entity receiving the money, that part takes the preposition a (to), such as pagar ao banco (pay to the bank).