Breakdown of Deves usar o capacete enquanto estás na obra.
estar
to be (temporary / location)
em
in / on / at
usar
to use / to wear
dever
should / ought to
enquanto
while
a obra
the construction site
o capacete
the helmet
Questions & Answers about Deves usar o capacete enquanto estás na obra.
How does enquanto connect the two parts of this sentence?
The word enquanto means 'while'. It introduces a time-related phrase that happens at the exact same time as the main action. Because both actions are real facts in the present, we just use the normal present tense for both verbs (deves and estás).
Doesn't usar mean 'to use'? Why is it translated as 'to wear'?
Why do we say na obra instead of just em obra?
Na is a combination of the preposition em (in/at) and the feminine word for 'the' (a). In Portuguese, specific locations like this almost always need 'the' before them, so 'at the construction site' becomes em + a = na obra.
Could I say Tens de usar instead of Deves usar?
Learn Deves usar o capacete enquanto estás na obra 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