Question 1

The translation says "We waited" (past tense), but shouldn't the past tense of this verb have an accent?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you have a great eye! In standard European Portuguese, the past tense (we waited) is written as esperámos with an accent, while the present tense (we wait) is esperamos without an accent. Because this sentence is translated as a past action, a strict European Portuguese writer would use esperámos. However, in casual writing (or in Brazilian Portuguese), it is very common to see the accent dropped, leaving context to tell you it happened in the past.

Question 2

Doesn't the verb esperamos also mean "we hope" or "we expect"?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it does! The verb esperar is a versatile word that can mean to wait, to hope, or to expect. You have to rely on context to know which one applies. Because this sentence mentions a duration of time (uma hora) and a location (na alfândega), "we waited" is the only meaning that makes logical sense here.

Question 3

Why do we use na instead of just em for "at customs"?

Accepted Answer

In English, we just say "at customs", but Portuguese usually requires the definite article (the word for "the") when talking about specific locations. Therefore, you literally say "at the customs". The word na is the mandatory contraction of the preposition em (in/at) combined with a (the feminine singular word for "the", which matches the feminine noun alfândega).

Question 4

What does the little hat accent over the "a" in alfândega do?

Accepted Answer

That is called a circumflex accent. It tells you two things: first, that you must place the strongest stress on that syllable when speaking. Second, it tells you that the vowel makes a more closed, muffled sound rather than a wide open "ah" sound.

Esperamos uma hora na alfândega.

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