The promised post to Ryley

Ryley is a very cool Australian guy who comes to Brazil in June and that´s why is learning Portuguese, because he wants to interact with the people and Brazilian culture as much as he can (no jokes, plz). That´s a nice vision for a 22 years old boy ("Old boy"! Did you see? It´s great!).

So, I've tried to help him with his Portuguese lessons, but I think I failed trying to explain a question he did. First he noted that we, brazilians, use so much "que". Then asked me to translate "that was great" to Portuguese, which I translated as: “Isso foi ótimo”. Immediately he said: “but there is no 'que' in there, Erica! Haha…I know it´s not that simple”.

Of course not! Ry, the “que” gone with the translation wind. So complicated to explain things like that in a simple and direct form, but I'll try to do something for you right now:

que

1 (with subordinate clause, often does not translate) that
2 (consecutive often does not translate) that
3 (comparisons) (v) than that
→ more, less, even pron
1 (thing) which, that, (+ prep) which
2 (person) who, that (supplement) whom, that
3 (interrogative) what?
4 (exclamation) what!

I was thinking here that, in our case, the phrase is a kind of exclamation clause (in spite of we haven't use the 'what'), you know that every rule has its exception. I´m not sure if i am right, but hope it can help you to make it clear in your mind. I´m remembering you saying: “i've learnt a lot of phrases. It's a pity Brazilians don't just speak in phrases! I've been watching some Brazilian documentaries, and I can't understand a single word.”

Be patient, honey. I know you´ll get it. :)

PS.: Unfortunately our difference in time does not contribute to talk more, but my insomnia does.

PS2.: Hey, maybe i could tell you the translation was "que ótimo!". Much more simple, hahaha

PS3.: You have to help me improve my English too. Correct me always, please.

PS4: If someone thinks can help us being clearer, please do it in the comments. :)