In our speech, we often use short words that connect one part of a sentence with another or indicate the connection of objects or events. In order not to speak in short separate phrases, we need to know and actively use them. It is these words that today’s topic is devoted to.
Explanations
Since in each of our articles we dive deeper into the grammar of the Portuguese language, our knowledge base is quite rich. Therefore, it’s time to learn how to play with grammar rules.
In order to explain something, we use special words that mean “because”. However, there are three groups of such words that require different tenses or structures after them.
For example, let’s remember the simplest option, when the special word “porque” is followed by the usual present, past or future tense.
Tenho muita roupa verde porque gosto desta cor. (I have a lot of green once because I love this color).
O Pedro está a chorar porque perdeu o seu brinquedo preferido. (Pedro is crying because he has lost his favorite toy).
Temos de comprar bilhetes porque na próxima semana vamos a Paris. (We need to buy tickets because next week we will go to Paris.)
In these examples, everything is simple and logical. However, the situation changes if instead of the word “porque” we use the preposition “por“, which in this case has exactly the same meaning. Namely, after the preposition “por” it is necessary to use a personal or impersonal infinitive.
Let’s see what that means:
Por estar frio ficámos em casa. (Since it’s cold outside, we stayed at home.)
Tu não foste trabalhar por estares doente. (You didn’t go to work because you were sick.)
Moreover, there is another option. The reason for one action is not always another action or state. Often you can just specify an object. For this, we have alternative connecting words: “por causa de” or “devido a“, which also mean “because”.
Atrasámo-nos por causa da minha mãe. Ela é tão lenta! (We were late because of my mother. She’s so slow!)
Estão molhados devido à chuva. (They are wet because of the rain).
In other words, we can say the same phrase in different ways, using different grammatical forms and connecting words. For example, we have the consequence “o Joel fugiu da praia” (Joel ran away from the beach) and the reason “teve medo” (became scary), and we can combine two phrases into one in three ways:
O Joel fugiu da praia porque teve medo.
O Joel fugiu da praia por ter medo.
O Joel fugiu da praia por causa do medo.
Do you feel that you are fluent in Portuguese? Now you can choose how to say the same phrase.
That, who, where
Sometimes the interrogative words “que” (what), “quem” (who), “onde” (where) are occasional linking words and are placed in the middle of a sentence. In Portuguese, they are called “relativos invariáveis”.
As pessoas que conheço na escola são engraçadas. (People I know at school are funny.)
O Nuno é o rapaz com quem a Maria joga ténis. (Nuno is the boy Maria plays tennis with.)
O parque onde fomos era lindíssimo. (The park where we were is the most beautiful.)
Note that these linking words do not have articles and do not change depending on the number and gender of the object they refer to. Analog
However, there are linking words that are analogous to “que” and “quem”, but require a definite article, are conjugated by numbers, and sometimes by gender too.
For example, we all know the question word “qual” (which one). If we use it as a linking word, then we are sure to add the definite article and change the number depending on the object to which this word refers. And also, do not forget to merge prepositions and articles where necessary.
O concurso para o qual treinei muito correu bem. (The contest, for which I trained a lot, went well.)
As amigas com as quais vamos a Lisboa chegam amanhã. (The friends with whom we will go to Lisbon are arriving tomorrow.)
The definite article helps us understand that we are talking about very specific objects.
Whose
When we want to use this word as an interrogative, we use “de quem” (whose). However, when this word acts as a link in a sentence, it is necessary to use the word “cujo” (whose), which does not require an article, but changes in gender and number depending on the object to which the other object belongs.
For example:
Fui a um clube cuja dona é a minha amiga. (I went to a club whose owner is my friend.)
A minha tia, cujos filhos morreram há um ano, vive sozinha. (My aunt, whose children died a year ago, lives alone.)
We can rephrase these sentences using the linking words from the previous paragraphs.
For example:
A minha amiga é a dona do clube aonde fui. (My friend is the hostess of the club where I went.)
A dona do clube ao qual eu fui é a minha amiga. (The owner of the club I went to is my friend.)
There are a lot of options. Use the one that fits the context best.
Conclusion
Once again, we prove to you that the Portuguese language is not difficult, because all the rules have a logical basis. The Portuguese language seems difficult only to those who study it on their own. We know the shortcut and are always ready to help you. Welcome to our courses!