When learning Portuguese, one of the essential skills to master is making comparisons. Specifically, understanding how to equate two items in comparison can be particularly useful in everyday conversations. Whether you are comparing people, objects, or even abstract concepts, Portuguese offers a variety of structures to express equality between two items. This article delves into these structures, providing examples and explanations to help you grasp this aspect of Portuguese grammar effectively.
Using “Tão… quanto” or “Tão… como”
One of the most common ways to express that two items are equal in Portuguese is by using the structure “tão… quanto” or “tão… como.” This structure is equivalent to saying “as… as” in English.
For example:
– A Maria é tão alta quanto o João. (Maria is as tall as João.)
– O filme é tão interessante como o livro. (The movie is as interesting as the book.)
In these examples, “tão” works as an adverb, modifying the adjectives “alta” (tall) and “interessante” (interesting). The words “quanto” and “como” are interchangeable in this context.
Equating Actions
If you want to compare two actions, you can still use “tão… quanto” or “tão… como.” However, instead of adjectives, you will use verbs.
For example:
– Ele corre tão rápido quanto ela. (He runs as fast as she does.)
– Eles trabalham tão arduamente como nós. (They work as hard as we do.)
In these sentences, “rápido” (fast) and “arduamente” (hard) are adverbs modifying the verbs “corre” (runs) and “trabalham” (work).
Using “Tanto… quanto” or “Tanto… como”
When comparing quantities or amounts, the structure “tanto… quanto” or “tanto… como” is used. This is equivalent to saying “as much as” or “as many as” in English.
For example:
– Ela tem tanto dinheiro quanto ele. (She has as much money as he does.)
– Ele come tanto chocolate quanto ela. (He eats as much chocolate as she does.)
In these examples, “tanto” is used to compare quantities (dinheiro and chocolate). The words “quanto” and “como” can again be used interchangeably.
Equating Countable Items
When comparing countable items, the plural form “tantos… quanto” or “tantos… como” is used.
For example:
– Ele tem tantos livros quanto ela. (He has as many books as she does.)
– Nós conhecemos tantas pessoas quanto eles. (We know as many people as they do.)
In these sentences, “tantos” and “tantas” (plural forms of “tanto”) are used to compare countable nouns (livros and pessoas).
Using “Igual a” or “Igual”
Another common way to express equality is by using “igual a” or simply “igual.” This structure is equivalent to saying “the same as” or “like” in English.
For example:
– O carro dela é igual ao meu. (Her car is the same as mine.)
– Ele fala igual ao pai. (He speaks like his father.)
In these examples, “igual” is used as an adjective meaning “the same” or “like.” The word “a” is the preposition “to,” forming the structure “igual a.”
Using “Tal qual”
The expression “tal qual” is another way to indicate that two items are identical or very similar. This phrase is somewhat formal and can be used in both spoken and written Portuguese.
For example:
– A paisagem é tal qual uma pintura. (The landscape is just like a painting.)
– Ele é tal qual um professor. (He is just like a teacher.)
In these sentences, “tal qual” is used to emphasize the similarity between the compared items.
Practical Applications and Examples
Understanding these structures is one thing, but applying them in real-life situations is another. Let’s look at some practical applications and examples to solidify your understanding.
Comparing Abilities
If you want to compare abilities, you can use “tão… quanto” or “tanto… quanto” depending on whether you are comparing qualities or quantities.
For example:
– Ela canta tão bem quanto ele. (She sings as well as he does.)
– Ele tem tantas habilidades quanto ela. (He has as many skills as she does.)
Comparing Experiences
When comparing experiences, “tão… quanto” is often used to compare the intensity or quality of the experiences.
For example:
– Viajar para o Brasil foi tão emocionante quanto viajar para a Itália. (Traveling to Brazil was as exciting as traveling to Italy.)
– Aprender português é tão desafiador quanto aprender francês. (Learning Portuguese is as challenging as learning French.)
Comparing Preferences
You can also use these structures to compare preferences or likes and dislikes.
For example:
– Eu gosto de pizza tanto quanto de sushi. (I like pizza as much as sushi.)
– Ele prefere futebol tanto quanto basquete. (He prefers soccer as much as basketball.)
Comparing Relationships
When discussing relationships, “igual a” or “tal qual” can be particularly useful.
For example:
– Eles se tratam igual a irmãos. (They treat each other like siblings.)
– A amizade deles é tal qual a nossa. (Their friendship is just like ours.)
Common Pitfalls
While these structures are relatively straightforward, there are a few common pitfalls to avoid.
Mixing Structures
One common mistake is mixing different structures. For instance, using “tão… tanto” instead of “tão… quanto” or “tanto… quanto.”
Incorrect: Ela é tão inteligente tanto ele.
Correct: Ela é tão inteligente quanto ele. (She is as intelligent as he is.)
Incorrect Use of Adjectives and Adverbs
Another common mistake is using adjectives when adverbs are needed, or vice versa.
Incorrect: Ele corre tão rápido quanto ela.
Correct: Ele corre tão rapidamente quanto ela. (He runs as fast as she does.)
In the correct sentence, “rapidamente” is the adverbial form of “rápido.”
Using “Igual” Incorrectly
When using “igual,” make sure to include the preposition “a” when necessary.
Incorrect: O carro dela é igual o meu.
Correct: O carro dela é igual ao meu. (Her car is the same as mine.)
Exercises to Practice
To help you reinforce your understanding and application of these structures, here are some exercises you can practice.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following sentences by choosing the correct structure (tão… quanto, tanto… quanto, igual a).
1. Ela é __________ alta __________ o irmão.
2. Ele tem __________ amigos __________ ela.
3. Ele corre __________ rápido __________ um atleta.
4. O filme é __________ interessante __________ o livro.
5. Eles se tratam __________ irmãos.
Exercise 2: Translation
Translate the following sentences from English to Portuguese using the correct comparison structures.
1. She sings as beautifully as her sister.
2. He has as many books as his friend.
3. The landscape is just like a painting.
4. They work as hard as we do.
5. Learning Spanish is as challenging as learning Portuguese.
Exercise 3: Create Your Own Sentences
Create five sentences of your own using each of the comparison structures discussed in this article. Try to vary the context and the items being compared.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of equating two items in comparison in Portuguese grammar is an essential step in becoming proficient in the language. By understanding and practicing the structures “tão… quanto,” “tanto… quanto,” “igual a,” and “tal qual,” you can effectively express equality in a variety of contexts. Remember to watch out for common pitfalls and practice regularly to solidify your understanding. With time and effort, you’ll find that making comparisons in Portuguese becomes second nature. Boa sorte! (Good luck!)
