Log inSign up

Há alguma cerâmica naquela prateleira?

Há alguma cerâmica naquela prateleira?
Is there any pottery on that shelf?
From Lesson 124:Affirmative indefinite words (algum, alguém, algo)·Portuguese (Portugal)

Questions & Answers about Há alguma cerâmica naquela prateleira?

Why do we translate alguma as 'any' instead of 'some'?
In Portuguese, algum and its forms (like the feminine singular alguma) can mean both 'some' and 'any'. While English uses 'any' in questions and 'some' in statements, Portuguese simply uses alguma for both. It is feminine here to match the noun cerâmica.
Why use Há to say 'Is there' instead of a form of ser or estar?
The word Há comes from the verb haver, which we use to talk about existence, matching the English phrases 'there is' and 'there are'. We use ser and estar to describe something, but to ask if something exists in a location, we always use Há.
How is the word naquela formed?
Naquela is a contraction of the preposition em (in, on, or at) and the demonstrative pronoun aquela (that). So, em + aquela becomes naquela (on that). We use the feminine form aquela because it refers to prateleira (shelf), which is a feminine noun.
If there might be multiple bowls on the shelf, why are cerâmica and alguma in the singular?
Just like the English word 'pottery', cerâmica is often treated as a singular uncountable noun when referring to a collection of ceramic items. Because the noun is singular, the indefinite determiner must also take its singular form, alguma.

Learn Há alguma cerâmica naquela prateleira and more in Portuguese

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.

  • ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
  • ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
  • ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free
Start learning Portuguese →