Here's a Piece of Advice
The following is a quote by Erma Bombeck:
When your mother asks, “Tu queres um conselho?Do you want a piece of advice?” it is a mere formality. It doesn’t matter if you answer yes or no. You’re going to get it anyway.
Click to reveal translation
Click the sentence again to see the Portuguese
The Plus version of this story
Quando a tua* mãe pergunta*, “Tu queres um conselho*?” é uma mera* formalidade. Não importa* se respondes sim ou não. Vais tê-lo de qualquer maneira.When your mother asks, “Do you want a piece of advice?” it is a mere formality. It doesn’t matter if you answer yes or no. You’re going to get it anyway.
🔎 Words in this story
✴️ Perguntar (asks)
This is the verb “perguntar” (to ask) conjugated in the present for the third-person singular. We use the verb “perguntar” only when we refer to a question.
In English, the verb “to ask for” corresponds to the verb “pedir.” This verb is used when you’re requesting or ordering something. For example: “Ela pediu um conselho” means “She asked for advice.”
✴️ Mera (mere)
“Mera” is the feminine singular form of the adjective. It describes something which is simple, has no complexity or is unimportant.
There is a Plus version of this story
The same story, taken further, for DailyNata Plus members. This one works on false friends and confusables.
- The whole story in Portuguese, and its English
- The words in it, explained, with examples
Written for level A2. Every story has its own, anywhere from A1 to B2.
