Learn Portuguese (Portugal): O quintal pertence aos vizinhos. - The backyard belongs to the neighbours.

O quintal pertence aos vizinhos.

The backyard belongs to the neighbours.

Breakdown of O quintal pertence aos vizinhos.

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Questions & Answers about O quintal pertence aos vizinhos.

Why do we use 'aos' here instead of just 'os'?

The verb pertencer (to belong) requires the preposition a (to) to show who the owner is. Because vizinhos (neighbours) is masculine and plural, we use the article os (the). When you combine a and os, they contract to form aos (to the).

What is the base verb for 'pertence', and is it regular?

The base verb is pertencer (to belong). It is a completely regular verb. Since we are talking about O quintal (The backyard), which acts as a third-person 'it', we use the matching third-person singular ending, giving us pertence.

Could I use 'jardim' instead of 'quintal' here?

You could, but they mean slightly different things. Quintal specifically refers to a backyard, often a paved or enclosed patio area behind a house. Jardim usually means a garden or a front yard with plants, flowers, or grass.

Does the word 'vizinhos' refer only to male neighbours?

Not necessarily! In Portuguese, a mixed group of males and females defaults to the masculine plural form. So, vizinhos can mean a group of all men, or a mix of men and women. If you were talking about a group of strictly female neighbours, you would say vizinhas.