Question 1

Why does the verb pisar become pisem in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

This is the negative imperative (a command telling someone not to do something) for a plural group, matching meninos (the vocês form). For regular -ar verbs like pisar (to step), the plural command drops the -ar and adds -em, giving us não pisem.

Question 2

Why is there no Portuguese word for 'on' in pisem a relva?

Accepted Answer

In English, we say 'step on the grass', but the Portuguese verb pisar does not use a preposition. You simply act directly on the object. So, it translates literally as 'don't step the grass'.

Question 3

Since a relva (the grass) is feminine, shouldn't it be é proibida?

Accepted Answer

Here, the adjective proibido (forbidden) doesn't describe the grass itself. It describes the entire action of stepping on it. When describing a general action or situation (like saying 'it is forbidden'), Portuguese defaults to the masculine singular form.

Question 4

Does meninos mean just boys, or children in general?

Accepted Answer

It can mean both! Because Portuguese uses the masculine plural for mixed-gender groups, meninos is very commonly used to address a group of 'children' or 'kids' of any gender, not just boys.

Meninos, não pisem a relva, é proibido.

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