In this dialog you get to see the “past continuous” tense IN ACTION. Its real name is the preterit imperfect, and it’s used whenever you are telling a story of something that happened in the past. It’s not to talk about what you did yesterday or last week. It’s specifically when you are saying something…
APRESENTADOR Agora que já sabemos como é um típico gringo, vamos ver como ele faz para se transformar num verdadeiro carioca! Notice how TRANSFORMAR is used in a reflexive way: “para SE transformar..” (in order to transform HIMSELF) A mochila de peito… agora nas costas. Nas costas = em + as costas = on the…
APRESENTADOR Hoje nós vamos conhecer o especie: O Gringo. Olha lá. Temos um gringo vindo! This guy’s accent is tough to understand. Notice how some of his words get completely swallowed! VIR > vindo in the “ing” tense (present progressive). You should note here that Brazilians will often use CHEGAR > chegando to say coming…
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…
Mudar de ideia Brazilians are a flexible bunch. They love to set dates, appointments, meetings and decisions, often without much hesitation. But it’s all in a constant state of flux. You will discover that it’s partly just their nature to agree to things. It’s actually a very charming trait. But, it also causes a lot…
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