Portuguese Phrase
Os gases prendem o calor na atmosfera.
Meaning
The sentence states that gases in the air capture or trap heat, preventing it from escaping into space. It is a concise way to describe the greenhouse effect, a core concept in climate‑change discussions.
When to use
Use this phrase when talking about climate science, environmental policy, or any conversation about why the planet is warming. It works both in formal presentations and casual discussions about weather trends.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Osgasesprendemocalornaatmosfera
Artigo definido (Os)
‘Os’ is the masculine plural definite article, used here because ‘gases’ is masculine plural.
Verbo prender (prendem)
‘prender’ means ‘to trap, to hold’. In the third‑person plural present it becomes ‘prendem’, agreeing with ‘gases’.
Objeto direto (o calor)
‘o calor’ is the direct object of ‘prendem’; the article ‘o’ marks it as a specific, known heat.
Preposição contração (na)
‘na’ = ‘em + a’, meaning ‘in the’. It links the verb phrase to the location ‘atmosfera’.
Substantivo (atmosfera)
‘atmosfera’ is feminine singular; it refers to the layer of gases surrounding Earth.
🗨In Conversation
Você sabe por que a temperatura está subindo?
Do you know why the temperature is rising?
Os gases prendem o calor na atmosfera, então o planeta esquenta.
Gases trap heat in the atmosphere, so the planet warms up.
✕Common Mistakes
Os gases pegam o calor na atmosfera.
‘Pegar’ means ‘to catch’ physically; it’s not used for trapping heat in a scientific context.
Os gases prendem o calor em atmosfera.
Missing the article ‘a’ before ‘atmosfera’ changes the meaning; ‘na’ = ‘em + a’.
Os gases prendem calor na atmosfera.
Leaving out the article before ‘calor’ makes the phrase sound vague.
↔Alternatives
Os gases retêm o calor na atmosfera.
The gases retain heat in the atmosphere.
Os gases mantêm o calor na atmosfera.
The gases keep heat in the atmosphere.
Os gases aprisionam o calor na atmosfera.
The gases imprison heat in the atmosphere.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, discussions about ‘gases que prendem calor’ often appear in news about deforestation, the Amazon, and Brazil’s role in global climate agreements. While the phrase is scientifically accurate, in everyday speech people may prefer ‘gases que aquecem o planeta’ or simply ‘efeito estufa’. Using the formal term shows a higher level of proficiency and is well‑received in academic or activist circles.