Here’s a trick question for Spanish speakers: Would it be better in Portuguese to say the equivalent of Siéntate or Siéntese? Answer: Don’t worry about the reflexive pronouns. Chances are that Brazilians won’t use them either. In this lesson, Valdo and Michelle help the rest of us to get a sense of the disappearing reflexive pronouns in Portuguese.
Michelle also adds how cool she thinks the use of coupons is here in Texas as well.
PODCAST LINK: Grammar Lesson 5
When you go, you will buy a soda. If you buy a soda, you will get refills. As soon as you get refills, you will sit down with friends to talk. Those who sit and talk with friends, will have a great time.
Yes, all of those sentences require the “future subjunctive” in Portuguese. So, if you listen to Orlando, Valdo, Michelle, and José Luís, you will also learn how to use the future subjunctive. Don’t be intimidated, Spanish speaking friends, it’s easier than you think!
PODCAST LINK: Grammar Lesson 4
The plural of Brazil, if there were two of them, would be “Brasis.” Now that would be a strange word! Spanish speakers aren’t sure how to make those words that end in “l” plural. Orlando, Valdo, Michelle, and José Luís try to tell us that it is as easy as “drop the l and add is,” but we’re sure there is more to it than that.
While they are talking about plurals, Valdo and Michelle also tell us about their experience in getting used to self serve gas stations in the U.S. too!
PODCAST LINK: Grammar Lesson 3
Can you believe how many contractions Portuguese has: nesse, num, do, naquele, aos, pelo, etc. The list goes on and on. When speakers of Spanish catch on to these contractions, sentences become instantly easier to understand. And that, of course, is what Orlando, Michelle, Valdo, and José Luís hope to do with today’s lesson on contractions.
At the same time, culturally, Valdo and Michelle found it hard to find their change that automatically fell out of a machine at the supermarket. Sure enough, that would be a new experience for visitors from Brazil.
PODCAST LINK: Grammar Lesson 2
We’ve made a switch. Welcome back to all who have previously listened to Tá Falado. Up to this point, we’ve always done pronunciation lessons. Today we introduce something new, our first grammar lesson! From here on out we’ll look at some of those items that make Spanish speakers shake their heads and say, ‘I thought Portuguese and Spanish were more similar than this.’ In lesson one, Orlando, Valdo, Michelle, and Jose Luís talk us through the verb ‘to like.’ We, in fact, hope that you like the lesson too.
Culturally, Valdo and Michelle confess that they have never understood why North Americans like to sit on the grass.
PODCAST LINK: Grammar Lesson 1