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How to Say ‘Is that book by Saramago?’ in Portuguese

Esse livro é do Saramago?

EH-suh LEE-vroo eh doo sa-ra-MAH-goo

[EH-suh LEE-vroo eh doo sa-ra-MAH-goo]

💬 Usage Tip: do is de + o: Portuguese often puts "the" before a person's name, so "by Saramago" becomes "by the Saramago". Same with a woman: da Sophia.

Phrase Breakdown

Esse livro

EH-suh LEE-vroo

That book

'Esse' means 'that' (near the listener). The final 'e' is almost silent.

Example

Esse livro é novo.

That book is new.

Words in this phrase

Esse

[EH-suh]

that

Demonstrative word used to point to a specific profile or characteristic.

Example

Esse candidato parece preparado para a entrevista.

That candidate seems prepared for the interview.

livro

[LEE-vroo]

book

Masculine noun for a book.

Example

Estou a ler um livro.

I'm reading a book.

é do Saramago?

eh doo sa-ra-MAH-goo

is by Saramago?

'Do' = 'de' + 'o', meaning 'by / of'. José Saramago is a Nobel-winning Portuguese author.

Example

Este filme é do Manoel de Oliveira?

Is this film by Manoel de Oliveira?

Words in this phrase

[eh]

Form of the verb 'ser' used to identify or state something.

Example

É meu interesse conhecer melhor a empresa.

It is my interest to get to know the company better.

[doo]

by (of the)

De + o; here shows authorship before a man's name.

Example

O quadro é do Picasso.

The painting is by Picasso.

Saramago

[sa-ra-MAH-goo]

Saramago

José Saramago, Nobel-winning Portuguese novelist.

Example

Saramago ganhou o Nobel.

Saramago won the Nobel.

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

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