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Este quadro não vale nada.

Este quadro não vale nada.
This painting is worth nothing.
From Lesson 172:O dinheiro e os donos (valer, pertencer a)·Portuguese (Portugal)

Questions & Answers about Este quadro não vale nada.

Why does the sentence use both não and nada? Isn't that a double negative?
Yes, it is a double negative, which is completely standard in Portuguese! When a negative word like nada (nothing) comes after the verb, you must put não before the verb. So it translates literally as 'This painting does not worth nothing'.
Why is it este quadro and not isto quadro?
Este is a demonstrative word that must match the masculine, singular noun it points to (quadro). Isto stands alone to mean a general 'this' (like an unknown object or abstract idea) and is never placed directly in front of a noun.
Does quadro always mean painting?
Not always! Besides painting, quadro can also mean a board (like a school blackboard or whiteboard) or a picture frame. You rely on context to know which one makes sense.
Which verb does vale come from?
It comes from the verb valer, meaning to be worth. Here it is conjugated in the third-person singular present tense.

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