MESMA

Mesma is the feminine singular form of the Portuguese adjective and determiner mesmo. It is used to convey sameness or to add emphasis and agrees with the gender and number of the noun it modifies. As a determiner, it accompanies feminine nouns to mean “the same” as in a comparison or repetition, for example, a mesma casa (the same house) or as a determiner within phrases like na mesma hora (at the same time).

As a pronoun or pronoun-like element, mesma can appear in emphasis constructions such as eu mesma or ela mesma, where the speaker or subject stresses personal involvement. It also appears in fixed expressions like a mesma coisa (the same thing) or as a modifier in plural phrases such as as mesmas pessoas (the same people).

Morphology and usage notes:

- feminine singular: mesma

- feminine plural: mesmas

- used with feminine nouns (a, as) and feminine pronouns; masculine equivalents use o mesmo, os mesmos

- forms exist for emphasis and degree, including mesmíssima (the very same) for feminine singular and mesmíssimos/mesmíssimas for other genders and numbers

Etymology and related forms:

- samme derives from the feminine form of the adjective mesmo, which developed in the Romance language tradition to express identity, sameness, or emphasis. It parallels the masculine and gendered variations found in Portuguese, with related expressions across Brazilian and European Portuguese.

See also: mesmo (Portuguese), eu mesmo/eu mesma, na mesma, a mesma coisa.