Question 1

Why are there two negative words (não and ninguém) in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

This is the Portuguese double negative rule! When a negative word like ninguém (nobody/anyone) comes after the verb, you must also put não before the verb. Literally, it translates to "That girl doesn't tell the secret to nobody," which is perfectly correct grammar in Portuguese.

Question 2

Why is there an 'a' before ninguém?

Accepted Answer

The verb dizer (to say/tell) is usually followed by the preposition a (to) when you are telling something to a person. Since ninguém is the person (or lack of person!) receiving the secret, it needs that a right in front of it: a ninguém (to nobody).

Question 3

Does the verb dizer mean "to say" or "to tell"?

Accepted Answer

It means both! In Portuguese, we don't use two different verbs for "say" and "tell." Because she is sharing a secret with someone, "tell" is simply the most natural way to translate it into English here.

Question 4

I learned that essa also means "that." Why use aquela here?

Accepted Answer

Portuguese has two words for "that" depending on distance. You use essa when the person or thing is close to the person you are talking to. You use aquela when the person or thing is far away from both of you. So, aquela rapariga means the girl is over there in the distance, or not in the room at all.

Question 5

What happens if the sentence starts with Ninguém?

Accepted Answer

If a negative word comes before the verb, the não disappears! For example, if you wanted to say "Nobody tells the secret," it would just be: Ninguém diz o segredo.

Aquela rapariga não diz o segredo a ninguém.

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