Learn Portuguese (Portugal): As galinhas dormem cedo.

As galinhas dormem cedo.

Hens sleep early.

Breakdown of As galinhas dormem cedo.

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Questions & Answers about As galinhas dormem cedo.

Why is it As galinhas and not just Galinhas if the English translation is just "Hens"?

In Portuguese, when you make a general statement about an entire category of things (like hens in general), you almost always need to use the definite article (o, a, os, or as). English leaves the article out, but dropping it in Portuguese sounds unnatural.

Is the verb dormir (to sleep) regular in this sentence?

Yes, for the "they" form (the hens), it uses the standard -ir verb ending -em, becoming dormem. However, be careful with this verb: it is irregular in the "I" form, which is durmo rather than the expected "dormo".

Does the word cedo change to match plural nouns?

No, cedo (early) is an adverb describing when they sleep. Adverbs are invariable, meaning they never change to match gender or number. It stays exactly the same whether it is one hen or a hundred.

Is there a cultural idiom related to this sentence?

Yes! Portuguese has a very common expression: deitar-se com as galinhas (to go to bed with the hens). You use it to describe someone who goes to sleep very early in the evening.