Portuguese Phrase
Também arrumo a mesa.
Meaning
‘Também arrumo a mesa.’ translates to ‘I also set the table.’ It conveys that the speaker does the same task as someone else, emphasizing shared responsibility for preparing the meal.
When to use
Use this sentence when you want to tell someone that you, too, are taking care of setting the table—e.g., after a friend says they have already done it, or when you’re volunteering to help with a family meal.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tambémarrumoamesa
Também (adverb)
‘Também’ means ‘also/too’ and usually appears before the verb it modifies.
Arrumo (present indicative)
‘Arrumar’ is a regular –ar verb; ‘arrumo’ is the first‑person singular present form, meaning ‘I set/arrange’. The subject ‘eu’ is omitted because Portuguese often drops pronouns.
Definite article with direct object
The noun ‘mesa’ (table) takes the definite article ‘a’ because we are talking about a specific table.
🗨In Conversation
Já arrumei a cozinha, e você?
I've already tidied the kitchen, how about you?
Também arrumo a mesa.
I also set the table.
✕Common Mistakes
também eu arrumo a mesa.
The adverb ‘também’ should come before the verb, not before the subject pronoun.
arrumo também a mesa.
While understandable, this word order sounds unnatural in casual speech; keep ‘também’ before the verb.
arrumo a mesa também.
Placing ‘também’ at the end can change the emphasis and is less common for this meaning.
↔Alternatives
Eu também coloco a mesa.
I also put the table (set the table).
Também ponho a mesa.
I also lay out the table.
Também deixo a mesa pronta.
I also leave the table ready.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, ‘arrumar a mesa’ is the everyday expression for setting the table before a meal. It’s common for family members to share the task, so saying ‘Também arrumo a mesa’ signals cooperation. Note that ‘também’ normally precedes the verb, but placing it after the verb (‘Arrumo também a mesa’) is grammatically possible, though it sounds a bit more formal or emphatic.