Learn Portuguese (Portugal): Estás a usar o lápis azul?

Estás a usar o lápis azul?

Are you using the blue pencil?

Breakdown of Estás a usar o lápis azul?

estar

to be (temporary / location)

Questions & Answers about Estás a usar o lápis azul?

How do we form "are using" in European Portuguese?

In European Portuguese, we talk about actions happening right now using the verb estar (to be) followed by a and then the infinitive (the basic, unchanged) form of the main verb. Here, estás is "you are", followed by a, and usar means "to use". Together, estás a usar means "you are using".

Where is the word for "you" in Estás a usar?

It is built right into the verb! Because estás is specifically the "you" (informal singular) form of estar, we don't need to include the pronoun tu. The verb ending tells us exactly who is doing the action.

Why does the sentence say lápis azul instead of azul lápis?

In English, the describing word (adjective) comes before the noun, like "blue pencil". In Portuguese, adjectives generally come after the noun they describe. So, it naturally becomes lápis azul (pencil blue).

Why isn't the word order changed to make this a question?

Unlike English, which often swaps words around or adds helper words to ask a question, Portuguese keeps the exact same word order as a normal statement. To make it a question, you just add a question mark in writing, and make your voice go up at the end of the sentence when speaking.