How to Say ‘The remote is my hostage.’ in Portuguese
O comando é o meu refém.
oo koo-MAHN-doo eh oo may-oo reh-FAYNG
[oo koo-MAHN-doo eh oo may-oo reh-FAYNG]
Phrase Breakdown
O comando é
oo koo-MAHN-doo eh
The remote control is
'Comando' is the TV remote in Portugal. 'É' means 'is' and is an open 'eh' sound. Link it smoothly to 'comando'.
O comando é novo.
The remote is new.
Words in this phrase
O
[oo]
the
A masculine singular definite article used before nouns.
O prazer de participar foi grande.
The pleasure of taking part was great.
comando
[koo-MAHN-doo]
remote control
The everyday Portuguese word for a TV remote.
Dá-me o comando.
Give me the remote.
é
[eh]
is
Form of the verb 'ser' used to identify or state something.
É meu interesse conhecer melhor a empresa.
It is my interest to get to know the company better.
o meu refém.
oo may-oo reh-FAYNG
my hostage.
'O meu' = 'my' (with article, as is usual in Portugal). Stress the end of 'refém' and make it nasal: 'ruh-FAYNG'.
Ele é o meu refém.
He is my hostage.
Words in this phrase
o
[oo]
the
A masculine singular definite article used before nouns.
O prazer de participar foi grande.
The pleasure of taking part was great.
meu
[may-oo]
My
Used to indicate possession.
Meu carro é novo.
My car is new.
refém
[reh-FAYNG]
hostage
A person (or thing, jokingly) held until demands are met.
O ladrão libertou o refém.
The thief released the hostage.
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