diminutives and augmentatives
Brazilians like to add endings at the end of words to give them a sense of cuteness or smallness or, as a sign of affection. These are called diminutives. The most common diminutive suffixes are:
1: Pensei que… ➜ dialog
The phrase pensei que seems like it should always trigger the subjunctive, but not so. In Portuguese, there are grey areas that don’t always strictly obey the grammar rules. All languages have inconsistencies. The thing to learn in this dialog is that pensei que is a phrase that is used all the time, and you…
3: Aniversário ➜ dialog
THEO Bom dia. CLAIRE Eu ainda estou dormindo. THEO Feliz aniversário de casamento. If someone says, “é meu aniversário”, it’s their birthday. If someone says, “é nosso aniversário”, it’s their wedding anniversary. CLAIRE E disseram que não ia durar. DURAR = to last. DURO(A) = tough, grueling. How would you say, “Our marriage has lasted…
10: Assento Marcado ➜ dialog
When talking about assigned/reserved seating – in a plane, on a bus, in a theater – use: o assento, rather than cadeira! (on a bus) Which is my seat? » Qual é meu assento? Sir, which is your seat? » Qual é seu assento, senhor? Is it reserved seating? » É assento marcado? *marcado here…