Portuguese Phrase
Um jantar completo à mesa.
Meaning
The sentence means ‘A full dinner at the table.’ It conveys that the meal is complete, with all courses served in a sit‑down setting rather than a quick snack or buffet.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to describe a proper, multi‑course dinner that is served at the table, for example when talking about a special family gathering, a restaurant experience, or planning a formal evening meal.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Umjantarcompletoàmesa
Indefinite article (Um)
‘Um’ is the masculine singular indefinite article, used before masculine nouns like ‘jantar’.
Noun gender (jantar)
‘Jantar’ is a masculine noun meaning ‘dinner’; adjectives must agree in gender and number.
Adjective agreement (completo)
‘Completo’ is a masculine singular adjective that matches the gender of ‘jantar’.
Preposition + article contraction (à)
‘À’ is the contraction of the preposition ‘a’ (to/at) and the feminine singular article ‘a’, used before feminine nouns.
Feminine noun (mesa)
‘Mesa’ is a feminine noun meaning ‘table’; it triggers the use of the contraction ‘à’.
🗨In Conversation
Como foi o jantar ontem?
How was dinner last night?
Um jantar completo à mesa, com entrada, prato principal e sobremesa.
A full dinner at the table, with a starter, main course, and dessert.
✕Common Mistakes
Um jantar completo ao mesa.
‘Ao’ is the contraction of ‘a’ + masculine article ‘o’; the noun ‘mesa’ is feminine, so the correct contraction is ‘à’.
Um jantar completa à mesa.
The adjective must agree with the masculine noun ‘jantar’, so it should be ‘completo’, not ‘completa’.
Um jantar completo à mesa.
If you refer to a specific dinner already known, use the definite article ‘o’ instead of the indefinite ‘um’.
↔Alternatives
Um jantar completo na mesa.
A full dinner on the table.
Um jantar completo servido à mesa.
A full dinner served at the table.
Um jantar completo, à mesa.
A full dinner, at the table.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, dinner (jantar) is usually lighter than lunch, but a ‘jantar completo’ implies a more elaborate, multi‑course meal, often reserved for weekends, holidays, or special occasions. The expression ‘à mesa’ emphasizes the formal sit‑down setting, as opposed to eating in front of the TV or at a buffet.