cognate objects
[/ˈkɒɡneɪt ˈɒbdʒɪkts/]
nounpl: cognate objects
objetos cognatos
1. In grammar and linguistics, a noun or noun phrase that is etymologically related to the verb it follows, typically expressing the result or content of the action denoted by the verb
In the sentence 'He sang a song,' the noun 'song' is a cognate object of the verb 'sang' because both words share a common etymological root.
Na frase 'Ele cantou uma canção', o substantivo 'canção' é um objeto cognato do verbo 'cantar' porque ambas as palavras compartilham a mesma raiz etimológica.
2. A grammatical construction where a verb is followed by a direct object that derives from the same root or is semantically related to the verb itself
Examples include 'die a noble death,' 'dream a dream,' and 'live a good life.'
Exemplos incluem 'morrer uma morte nobre', 'sonhar um sonho' e 'viver uma boa vida'.
This is primarily a linguistic and grammatical term used in academic contexts in both Brazil and the United States. It is more commonly encountered in university-level linguistics, grammar, and language study courses rather than in everyday conversation. The concept is important for understanding sentence structure and etymology in both English and Portuguese language education.
Related Idioms & Phrases
fight the good fight (cognate object construction)
sleep the sleep of the just (cognate object construction)
live the life of Riley (related construction)
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →