Question 1

How does the negative word não work here?

Accepted Answer

In Portuguese, the rule for making a sentence negative is very simple: you just put the word não directly in front of the verb. Here, placing it right before the verb é changes 'is' to 'is not'. It is much more straightforward than English, which often requires helping verbs like 'do'.

Question 2

Why do we use isto and aquilo instead of the masculine and feminine words for 'this' and 'that'?

Accepted Answer

Isto (this) and aquilo (that over there) are neutral words. You use them when pointing to a general object, standing alone as the subject of the sentence. If you were saying 'this car' rather than 'this is the car', you would use the masculine word este because it attaches directly to the masculine noun carro (as in, este carro).

Question 3

Could I use the subject pronoun ele instead of isto?

Accepted Answer

You could, but it changes the meaning slightly. Ele não é o carro means 'It (or he) is not the car'. Using isto specifically translates to 'This is not the car', which is used when you are physically pointing out or introducing an object to someone.

Question 4

Why is the verb é used here instead of está?

Accepted Answer

Both verbs mean 'to be', but é (from the verb ser) is used for permanent characteristics and identity. Because you are identifying what an object is (or in this negative sentence, what it isn't), you must use ser. The other 'to be' verb, estar, is used for temporary states or locations.

Isto não é o carro e aquilo não é a casa.

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