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Os rios portugueses são tão bonitos como as montanhas.

Os rios portugueses são tão bonitos como as montanhas.
The Portuguese rivers are as beautiful as the mountains.
From Lesson 54:Equality comparisons (tão... como)·Portuguese (Portugal)

Questions & Answers about Os rios portugueses são tão bonitos como as montanhas.

How do we use "tão ... como" to make a comparison in this sentence?
The phrase tão ... como is used to say two things are equal. The word tão (as) goes before the adjective bonitos, and como (as) goes after it. This matches the English structure "as beautiful as" perfectly!
Why is it bonitos and not bonitas, since montanhas is a feminine word?
The adjective bonitos (beautiful) describes the first noun in the sentence, Os rios (the rivers). Because rios is a masculine and plural word, the adjective must be masculine and plural too. It does not change to match the second noun (as montanhas).
Why do we use são here instead of estão?
We use são (from the verb ser) because being beautiful is seen as a permanent, natural characteristic of these rivers. The verb estar is used for temporary states or conditions.
Why does the adjective portugueses come after rios?
In Portuguese, adjectives describing nationality, origin, or type almost always come directly after the noun they describe. Notice it also ends in an "s" to match the plural masculine noun rios.
Do we need to include the word as before montanhas?
Yes! In Portuguese, we usually need to include the definite article (as, meaning "the") before a noun, even in general comparisons where English might just say "as beautiful as mountains".

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