When studying Portuguese, one of the intriguing aspects that learners encounter is the use of adjectives. Adjectives in Portuguese can end in various ways, and one interesting category includes those that end in -ável and -ível. These adjectives are not only common but also incredibly useful in everyday communication. They often convey qualities or states that are significant in describing people, objects, or situations.
Understanding Adjectives Ending in -ável
Adjectives ending in -ável in Portuguese are quite prevalent and typically denote something that is capable of being the root verb. The suffix -ável is akin to the English suffix “-able” or “-ible.” For instance, the Portuguese verb “amar” (to love) can be transformed into the adjective “amável,” which means “lovable” or “kind.” The transformation involves attaching the suffix to the verb stem.
Here are some common examples:
– **Amar** (to love) → **Amável** (lovable/kind)
– **Acreditar** (to believe) → **Acreditável** (believable)
– **Aceitar** (to accept) → **Aceitável** (acceptable)
– **Notar** (to note) → **Notável** (notable)
The usage of these adjectives is straightforward. They agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify. For example:
– **Uma pessoa amável** (A kind person – feminine singular)
– **Um gesto aceitável** (An acceptable gesture – masculine singular)
– **Coisas acreditáveis** (Believable things – feminine plural)
Formation and Patterns
The formation of these adjectives follows a simple pattern. The suffix -ável is added to the verb stem. However, there are a few rules to keep in mind:
1. If the verb ends in -ar, remove the -ar and add -ável.
2. If the verb ends in -er or -ir, the formation might differ slightly, but generally, the same principle applies.
Let’s look at more examples:
– **Lembrar** (to remember) → **Lembrável** (memorable)
– **Confiar** (to trust) → **Confiável** (trustworthy)
– **Desprezar** (to despise) → **Desprezável** (despicable)
These patterns help in understanding and predicting the formation of new adjectives.
Understanding Adjectives Ending in -ível
Adjectives ending in -ível are also common and typically denote something that can be done or is capable of being done. Similar to -ável, the suffix -ível also transforms verbs into adjectives. For instance, “compreender” (to understand) becomes “compreensível” (understandable).
Here are some examples:
– **Compreender** (to understand) → **Compreensível** (understandable)
– **Viver** (to live) → **Vivível** (livable)
– **Permitir** (to permit) → **Permissível** (permissible)
– **Depender** (to depend) → **Dependível** (dependable)
Just like adjectives ending in -ável, those ending in -ível must agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify:
– **Uma situação compreensível** (An understandable situation – feminine singular)
– **Um ambiente vivível** (A livable environment – masculine singular)
– **Regras permissíveis** (Permissible rules – feminine plural)
Formation and Patterns
The formation of adjectives ending in -ível follows these general rules:
1. For verbs ending in -er, remove the -er and add -ível.
2. For verbs ending in -ir, remove the -ir and add -ível.
Examples:
– **Definir** (to define) → **Definível** (definable)
– **Destruir** (to destroy) → **Destrutível** (destructible)
– **Visitar** (to visit) → **Visitável** (visitable)
Again, these patterns are helpful for learners to predict the formation of adjectives.
Comparing -ável and -ível
While both suffixes -ável and -ível serve similar functions in transforming verbs into adjectives, they are used with different verb endings. Generally, -ável is used with verbs ending in -ar, while -ível is used with verbs ending in -er and -ir.
For example:
– **Aceitar** (to accept) → **Aceitável** (acceptable) vs. **Permitir** (to permit) → **Permissível** (permissible)
Although the rules are straightforward, there can be exceptions and irregular formations. It is essential to practice and become familiar with these adjectives in context.
Usage in Sentences
To effectively use adjectives ending in -ável and -ível, it is crucial to see them in context. Here are some sentences demonstrating their usage:
– Ela é uma pessoa muito **amável**. (She is a very kind person.)
– A proposta foi considerada **aceitável** pela maioria. (The proposal was considered acceptable by the majority.)
– Sua história é realmente **acreditável**. (Your story is really believable.)
– Esta é uma solução **compreensível**. (This is an understandable solution.)
– O clima aqui é muito **vivível**. (The climate here is very livable.)
Practice forming sentences with these adjectives to become comfortable with their usage.
Exercises for Practice
To master the use of these adjectives, try the following exercises:
1. Transform the given verbs into adjectives ending in -ável or -ível:
– Amar
– Confiar
– Permitir
– Definir
– Desprezar
2. Use the formed adjectives in sentences:
– She is a very (kind) person.
– The proposal was considered (acceptable).
– Your story is really (believable).
– This is an (understandable) solution.
– The climate here is very (livable).
3. Identify the correct adjective ending (-ável or -ível) for the following verbs:
– Acreditar
– Viver
– Aceitar
– Compreender
– Notar
Practicing these exercises will help reinforce the rules and patterns for using adjectives ending in -ável and -ível.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When learning to use these adjectives, learners often make a few common mistakes. Here are some tips to avoid them:
1. **Incorrect Agreement**: Ensure that the adjective agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies. For instance, “pessoa amável” (kind person) must match in both gender and number.
2. **Wrong Suffix**: Be careful to choose the correct suffix based on the verb ending. Verbs ending in -ar generally take -ável, while those ending in -er or -ir typically take -ível.
3. **Irregular Forms**: Some verbs may have irregular adjective forms. It is essential to familiarize yourself with these exceptions through practice and exposure.
Advanced Usage
As learners progress, they can explore more advanced uses of these adjectives. For instance, these adjectives can be used in comparative and superlative forms:
– Ela é a pessoa mais **amável** que conheço. (She is the kindest person I know.)
– Esta solução é a mais **compreensível** de todas. (This solution is the most understandable of all.)
Additionally, these adjectives can be used in various tenses and moods to add nuance to sentences:
– Se fosse **possível**, eu gostaria de ajudar. (If it were possible, I would like to help.)
– É **aceitável** que ele tenha feito isso? (Is it acceptable that he did this?)
Understanding these advanced usages can significantly enhance fluency and expressiveness in Portuguese.
Conclusion
Adjectives ending in -ável and -ível are an essential part of Portuguese grammar. They are versatile and widely used in everyday language, making them valuable for learners to master. By understanding their formation, usage, and common patterns, learners can effectively incorporate these adjectives into their vocabulary. Practice and exposure are key to becoming proficient in using these adjectives correctly. With consistent effort, learners can achieve a deeper understanding and appreciation of Portuguese adjectives ending in -ável and -ível.
