Abstract Objects IV
O ou a?
We've already seen that words ending in ‑e in Portuguese can be either masculine or feminine.
A responsabilidade é minha.
The responsibility is mine.
Eu uso o transporte público.
I take public transportation.
But did you know that a few words ending in ‑a are masculine?
O esquema dela é melhor.
Her scheme is better.
Nós temos um problema.
We have a problem.
Ela acha que o esquema precisa mudar.
She thinks the scheme needs to change.
The hope is a virtue
Sometimes in Portuguese you'd use a and o when you'd never use the in English. This is common with abstract objects and ideas.
A esperança é uma virtude.
Hope is a virtue. (Literal: The hope is a virtue.)
Nós somos amigos desde a infância.
We have been friends since childhood. (Literal: We are friends since the childhood.)
And you've already seen that you can also use the with words like my, your, her, etc.
Eu quero a sua opinião.
I want your opinion. (Literal: I want the your opinion.)