Learn Portuguese (Portugal): Nem o pai nem a mãe sabem. - Neither the father nor the mother knows.

Nem o pai nem a mãe sabem.

Neither the father nor the mother knows.

Breakdown of Nem o pai nem a mãe sabem.

o pai

the father / the parents

Questions & Answers about Nem o pai nem a mãe sabem.

Why is the verb in the plural form (sabem) when the English translation uses the singular "knows"?

In Portuguese, when you connect subjects with nem... nem... (neither... nor...), the verb usually takes the plural form. Because there are two people involved altogether (the father and the mother), the verb saber is conjugated as sabem (they know).

How exactly does the nem... nem... structure work?

It translates to "neither... nor...". You place nem right before each of the options you are ruling out. You can also use a single nem to just say "nor" or "not even" in other sentences, but pairing them up like this creates the "neither/nor" meaning.

Could I use the verb conhecem instead of sabem here?

Usually no. Saber is used for knowing information, facts, or how to do something (like knowing a secret). You would use conhecer (to know / be familiar with) if the parents didn't know a specific person, place, or thing, but that would generally require mentioning who or what they don't know right after the verb.

Do I always need the definite articles o and a after nem?