Questions & Answers about Ele não quer matar o animal.
Why is there no word for "to" between quer and matar?
In English, we say "wants to kill," but in Portuguese, the verbquerer (to want) connects directly to the next verb without any linking word. The second verb, matar, is left in its infinitive or dictionary form, which already carries the meaning of "to kill".
Why does não come before the verb, and where is the word for "does"?
Portuguese does not use helper verbs like "does" or "do" to make a negative sentence. You simply put the negative word não immediately before the main verb. So "does not want" translates to just não quer.
Is quer a regular verb?
No, the verbquerer (to want) is irregular. Normally, regular -er verbs end in an -e for the ele (he) form, but querer drops the ending completely to become just quer.
How would the end of the sentence change if it was plural?
To makenouns ending in -al plural, you drop the -l and add -is. Therefore, o animal would become os animais.