Portuguese EN 9th grade: Plural of Compound Nouns
Rules for forming the plural of compound nouns:
In compound words, when the elements are linked in a single word, the plural formation follows the general rule for nouns.
Ex.: aguardente - aguardentes,
pontapé - pontapés.
Compound words formed by roots and words:
When the elements are separate and are formed by two or more roots with the same status, the inflection occurs at the end of the word.
Ex.: luso-brasileiro / luso-brasileiros,
afro-luso-brasileiro / afro-luso-brasileiros.
Compound words formed by words:
When the elements are separate, they follow the rules presented here.
Rules:
- Elements of equal value: both become plural: couve-flor / couves-flores.
- Subordinate element: only the first one becomes plural: palavra-chave / palavras-chave.
- Elements linked by a preposition: only the first one goes to the plural: fim de semana / fins de semana.
- First verbal or invariable element: only the second one goes to the plural: quebra-noz / quebra-nozes.
- Invariable nouns: remain the same: belas-artes, tira-nódas.
Degree of nouns:
Diminutivo(Diminutive): can express smallness, affection, irony, contempt.
Ex.: rio/riacho,
mãe/mãezinha.
Aumentativo(Augmentative): can express greatness, an affectionate or derogatory sense.
Ex.: casa/casarão,
cabeça/cabeçorra
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