Learn Portuguese (Portugal): O pequeno-almoço é bom.

O pequeno-almoço é bom.

The breakfast is good.

Breakdown of O pequeno-almoço é bom.

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Questions & Answers about O pequeno-almoço é bom.

Why is 'breakfast' translated as a hyphenated word, pequeno-almoço?

In Portugal, the word for breakfast translates literally to 'small lunch'. Pequeno means 'small' and almoço means 'lunch'. They are joined by a hyphen to create a single noun.

Does the adjective bom change depending on what I am talking about?

Yes! Because pequeno-almoço is a masculine word (which we can tell from the masculine word for 'the', o), we use the masculine form bom. If we were talking about a feminine word, like soup (a sopa), we would use the feminine form, boa.

The lesson is about regular '-er' verbs, but what kind of verb is é?

É means 'is', and it comes from the verb ser (to be). Even though ser ends in '-er', it is a highly irregular verb and does not follow the normal pattern of regular '-er' verbs you are currently learning. It is a core verb you simply have to memorize.

Why do we use é (from ser) here instead of está (from estar)?

Both mean 'to be', but we generally use ser to describe permanent qualities or facts. By saying O pequeno-almoço é bom, you are stating a general fact that the breakfast provided is of good quality, rather than saying it just happens to be good right at this exact moment.