O jardim, as árvores

O tema esta semana é o jardim, as árvores - The theme this week is the garden and the trees.  

Did you know - sabias?  In Portuguese, generally, we do not refer to a tree as an árvore - tree - but we name the exact variety of tree that it is.  So we will talk about the oliverias - olive trees, pinheiros - pine trees etc.  Each variety has a special name, not árvore de azeitona, but oliveira, not árvore de laranja but laranjeira.  Here's a list of some common trees you will find here in Portugal.  Note also, the word árvore is feminine - a árvore. (similar to arboretum in English, if that works as a momory hook!) .  The words for the different trees are often feminine also - laranejeira, oliveira, but some are masculine - limoeiro for example.

Some words and phrases for talking about Gardens and Trees!

amendoeira - almond tree
figueira - fig tree
cerejeira - cherry tree
macieira - apple tree
pereira - pear tree
laranjeira - orange tree
pessegueiro - peach tree
limoeiro - lemon tree
alfarrobeira - carob tree
ameixeira - plum tree
nespereira - loquat / medlar tree

Here’s a link to a Quizlet set with the words for you to play about with. 

If you would like to join one of the weekly chat groups - we run two weekly - A0/A1 Weds 13h-13h30, A2/B1 - Thurs 13h-13h45, all details are in the weekly newsletter - sign up here.

AND because we learn really well from stories and seeing examples of correct language, every week I put together 3 stories or dialogues on the week’s theme with examples of the week’s words and phrases in a useful context. I strongly believe that we can learn a lot from reading, these mini-texts with translations are just the right length for you to digest easily. (look at the translations first if that helps!)

A0/ A1 – No centro de jardinagem

Cliente — Olá, bom dia!

Vendedor — Bom dia!

Cliente — Quero comprar uma planta.

Vendedor — Claro! Temos flores, ervas

aromáticas e árvores pequenas.

Cliente — Gosto da flor vermelha. Como se

chama?

Vendedor — É um gerânio. Precisa de sol e

água.

Cliente — Quanto custa?

Vendedor — Custa cinco euros.

Cliente — Está bem. Quero um.

Vendedor — Deseja mais alguma coisa?

Cliente — Sim, um vaso pequeno, por favor.

Vendedor — Aqui tem. São dois euros.

Cliente — Óptimo. Pago com cartão.

Vendedor — Obrigada. Bom dia!

Cliente — Obrigada. Igualmente!

A2 – Escolher plantas para a varanda

Cliente — Olá! Preciso de plantas para a

minha varanda.

Vendedor — A varanda tem sol ou sombra?

Cliente — Tem muito sol de manhã.

Vendedor — Então, pode levar alfazema,

alecrim ou manjericão.

Cliente — Gosto de alfazema. Cheira bem.

Vendedor — Sim, e também afasta insectos.

Quer ver os vasos grandes?

Cliente — Sim, quero dois vasos de alfazema.

Vendedor — Estes são bons. Cada um custa

sete euros.

Cliente — Levo também terra para plantas.

Vendedor — Temos sacos de cinco e de dez

quilos.

Cliente — Cinco quilos é suficiente.

Vendedor — Precisa de ajuda para levar

tudo?

Cliente — Não, obrigada. Tenho carro.

Vendedor — Óptimo. Pode pagar na caixa.

Cliente — Obrigada pela ajuda!

Miguel — Olha, aqui estão: hortelã, manjericão, tomilho…

Sofia — Perfeito! A minha cozinha vai cheirar muito bem.

Miguel — Já viste as estufas? Há lá árvores de fruto pequenas.

Sofia — A sério? Vamos lá ver!

Miguel — Estas macieiras parecem fáceis de cuidar.

Sofia — Gostava de ter uma no quintal.

Miguel — Então leva uma! Posso ajudar-te a pôr no carro.

Sofia — Obrigada! Este passeio valeu mesmo a pena.

Translations of the dialogues:

Level A1 – At the garden centre

Customer — Hello, good morning!

Salesperson — Good morning!

Customer — I want to buy a plant.

Salesperson — Of course! We have flowers, herbs 

and small trees.

Customer — I like the red flower. What’s it called?

Salesperson — It’s a geranium. It needs sun and 

water.

Customer — How much is it?

Salesperson — It’s five euros.

Customer — Okay. I’ll take one.

Salesperson — Would you like anything else?

Customer — Yes, a small pot, please.

Salesperson — Here you go. It’s two euros.

Customer — Great. I’ll pay by card.

Salesperson — Thank you. Good morning!

Customer — Thank you. You too!

Level A2 – Choosing plants for the balcony

Customer — Hello! I need plants for my balcony.

Salesperson — Does the balcony get sun or 

shade?

Customer — It gets a lot of sun in the morning.

Salesperson — Then you can take lavender, 

rosemary or basil.

Customer — I like lavender. It smells nice.

Salesperson — Yes, and it also keeps insects 

away. Would you like to see the big pots?

Customer — Yes, I’d like two pots of lavender.

Salesperson — These are good. Each one costs 

seven euros.

Customer — I’ll also take some soil for plants.

Salesperson — We have five and ten-kilo bags.

Customer — Five kilos is enough.

Salesperson — Do you need help carrying 

everything?

Customer — No, thank you. I have a car.

Salesperson — Great. You can pay at the till.

Customer — Thanks for your help!

Level B1 – A trip to the garden centre with a friend

Sofia — Hi Miguel, what do you think about going to the garden centre today?

Miguel — Great idea! I need some new plants for the garden.

Sofia — And I wanted to see if I can find vegetable seeds.

Miguel — Perfect! Shall we look at the flowers first?

Sofia — Sure. These chrysanthemums are lovely!

Miguel — Yes, and they last a long time. Are you getting some?

Sofia — Maybe. I still want to look at the herbs.

Miguel — Look, here they are: mint, basil, thyme…

Sofia — Perfect! My kitchen will smell lovely.

Miguel — Have you seen the greenhouses? There are small fruit trees there.

Sofia — Really? Let’s go and see!

Miguel — These apple trees look easy to care for.

Sofia — I’d love to have one in the garden.

Miguel — Then take one! I can help you put it in the car.

Sofia — Thanks! This trip was really worth it