Freedom or Loneliness?
Today’s quote is widely attributed to Charles Bukowski. He was a poet, novelist, and short story writer. Bukowski started his writing career late, publishing his first novel, ‘Post Office,’ at the age of 50, which details the struggle of working for the U.S. Postal Service.
… And when nobody wakes you up in the morning, and when nobody waits for you at night, and when you can do whatever you want. O que é que lhe chamamos, liberdade ou solidão?What do you call it, freedom or loneliness?
See what it says in English
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The Plus version of this story
... E quando nos de , e quando ninguém por nós à , e quando fazer o que . O que é que lhe chamamos, ou ?
… And when nobody wakes you up in the morning, and when nobody waits for you at night, and when you can do whatever you want. What do you call it, freedom or loneliness?
Note: In English, ‘you’ is often a generic pronoun, to address or refer to people in general. In contrast, the Portuguese translation uses ‘nós’ (we), to emphasise a shared reflection rather than an individual one.
Today's vocabulary
🚫 Ninguém: No one, nobody⏰ Acordar: To wake up🌅 Manhã [femin. noun]: Morning⏳ Esperar: To wait🌃 Noite: Night🔋 Poder: Can 💖 Querer: To want🕊️ Liberdade [femin. noun]: Freedom👤 Solidão [femin. noun]: Loneliness
There is a Plus version of this story
The same story, taken further, for DailyNata Plus members. This one works on situational portuguese.
- Whole story in both languages
- Key words explained
- 1 more recording
- 2 interactive exercises
- Level A1–A2