Breakdown of O piano é um instrumento muito bonito.
ser
to be
bonito
beautiful
muito
much / very
um
a / an / some (all forms)
o piano
the piano
o instrumento
the instrument
Questions & Answers about O piano é um instrumento muito bonito.
Why do we use é (from the verb ser) here instead of está (from the verb estar)?
We use ser for permanent qualities, definitions, or inherent facts. Since being a beautiful instrument is an inherent characteristic of the piano rather than a temporary state, é is the correct choice.
Why are the words in the order instrumento muito bonito instead of "muito bonito instrumento"?
In Portuguese, adjectives generally go after the noun they describe. So, "beautiful instrument" translates to instrumento bonito. The adverb muito (very) goes right before the adjective it intensifies, resulting in instrumento muito bonito.
If I were talking about a feminine instrument, like a harpa (the harp), would bonito change to bonita?
No, it would stay exactly the same: A harpa é um instrumento muito bonito. Adjectives always agree in gender and number with the noun they directly modify. Here, bonito modifies the masculine noun instrumento, not the subject of the sentence.
Does the word muito ever change its ending to agree with the noun?
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