Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

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).

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

Could I use the verb conhecem instead of sabem here?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

No, you only need them here because you are talking about specific nouns: o pai (the father) and a mãe (the mother). If you were linking adjectives instead of nouns, you would drop the articles, like in nem bom nem mau (neither good nor bad).

Nem o pai nem a mãe sabem.

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