Question 1

Why isn't there a word for "I" at the start of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

In Portuguese, the verb ending usually tells you who is doing the action. Durmo specifically means "I sleep", so you don't need to add the pronoun eu (I) unless you want to emphasize it.

Question 2

Why use na before casa instead of a word that just means "at"?

Accepted Answer

In Portuguese, "in", "on", or "at" is usually expressed with the preposition em. When em comes before a feminine noun like casa, it combines with the word for "the" (a) to become na (em + a). So, na casa literally means "in the house".

Question 3

Why does the sentence say da minha irmã instead of just "de minha irmã"?

Accepted Answer

The word da is a mix of de (of) and a (the). In European Portuguese, you almost always put "the" before possessive words like minha (my). So you are literally saying "of the my sister".

Question 4

The verb for "to sleep" is dormir. Why does it change to durmo here instead of "dormo"?

Accepted Answer

Dormir is an irregular verb. In the "I" form (first-person singular) of the present tense, the 'o' changes to a 'u', making it durmo. The other present tense forms keep the 'o', like dormes (you sleep) and dorme (he/she sleeps).

Não durmo bem na casa da minha irmã.

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