Portuguese Phrase
Estamos junto ao grande arco.
Meaning
The sentence means 'We are next to the big arch.' It describes a specific location where the speakers are standing, using the verb 'estar' to indicate a temporary position.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to tell someone where you are, especially in a touristic setting, a city square, or when giving directions to a meeting point near a notable landmark.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Estamosjuntoaograndearco
Estar (estamos)
Use 'estar' for temporary states or locations; 'estamos' is the first‑person plural present indicative.
junto a / ao
'junto a' means 'next to'. When followed by a masculine singular noun, it contracts to 'ao' (a + o).
Adjective placement
In Portuguese, adjectives like 'grande' can appear before or after the noun; before the noun emphasizes size.
Definite article
'o' is the masculine singular definite article, agreeing with 'arco'.
🗨In Conversation
Estamos junto ao grande arco.
We are next to the big arch.
Ótimo, vamos tirar uma foto aqui.
Great, let's take a picture here.
✕Common Mistakes
Estamos junto do grande arco.
The correct contraction before a masculine singular noun is 'ao', not 'do'.
Estamos junto ao grande arcos.
The article 'o' is singular; the noun must also be singular.
Estamos está junto ao grande arco.
Do not mix 'estar' forms; use only 'estamos' for 'we are'.
↔Alternatives
Estamos ao lado do grande arco.
We are beside the big arch.
Ficamos perto do grande arco.
We are near the big arch.
Estamos próximo ao grande arco.
We are close to the big arch.
Cultural Tip
In Portuguese, 'junto a' is the go‑to preposition for physical proximity. It contracts to 'ao' before masculine singular nouns and to 'à' before feminine singular nouns. While 'grande' can follow the noun (o arco grande), placing it before (grande arco) is more natural when you want to stress the size of the landmark.