Learn Portuguese (Portugal): A saia é bonita.

A saia é bonita.

The skirt is beautiful.

Breakdown of A saia é bonita.

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Questions & Answers about A saia é bonita.

How would I change this sentence to say 'This skirt' or 'That skirt'?

You would replace the word A (The) with a demonstrative word. Because saia is a feminine noun, you use feminine demonstratives: Esta saia é bonita (This skirt is beautiful), Essa saia é bonita (That skirt is beautiful, near the person you are talking to), or Aquela saia é bonita (That skirt over there is beautiful).

Why do we use é instead of está for 'is' in this sentence?

We use é (from the verb ser) to describe a permanent or lasting quality. Here, it means the skirt itself is generally a beautiful item. If you used está (from the verb estar), it would mean the skirt looks beautiful right now or in this specific context (for example, while someone is wearing it).

If I change the subject to a masculine clothing item, like o casaco (the coat), what else changes?

The adjective bonita (beautiful) has to change to match the masculine noun. You would swap the final -a for an -o, making the sentence: O casaco é bonito.