4Module 7
The Subjunctive Mood
O Modo Conjuntivo
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Key Concept
The subjunctive expresses doubt, wishes, emotions, and hypothetical situations. It appears after specific trigger words and is essential for natural A2-level Portuguese.
Unlike the indicative (which states facts), the subjunctive expresses uncertainty, desire, or subjective judgement. European Portuguese uses the presente do conjuntivo after expressions of doubt, wish, and emotion, and the futuro do conjuntivo after quando, se, and assim que when referring to future events.
Key Phrase — Try saying it!
Talvez ele venha amanhã.
1Subjunctive Triggers (Expressões que exigem o conjuntivo)
Doubt / possibilityTalvez
ConcessionEmbora
PurposePara que
devagar entendam.
Time (before)Antes que
chova.
ExclusionSem que
saiu ninguém visse.
WishOxalá
tudo corra
Impersonal expressionÉ possível que
possível chegue
DesireQuero que
EmotionTenho medo que
perca.
Future conditionQuando (future)
liga-me.
Future hypothesisSe (future)
festa.
2Regular Conjugation
-AR verbs (presente do conjuntivo)
Endings: -e, -es, -e, -emos, -em
falar (to speak)
(that) I speak
(that) you speak
Ele/Ela(that) he/she speaks
(that) we speak
Eles/Elas(that) they speak
-ER verbs (presente do conjuntivo)
Endings: -a, -as, -a, -amos, -am
comer (to eat)
(that) I eat
(that) you eat
Ele/Ela(that) he/she eats
(that) we eat
Eles/Elas(that) they eat
-IR verbs (presente do conjuntivo)
Endings: -a, -as, -a, -amos, -am
partir (to leave)
(that) I leave
(that) you leave
Ele/Ela(that) he/she leaves
(that) we leave
Eles/Elas(that) they leave
Futuro do Conjuntivo (-AR)
Endings: -ar, -ares, -ar, -armos, -arem
falar (to speak)
if/when I speak
if/when you speak
Ele/Elaif/when he/she speaks
if/when we speak
Eles/Elasif/when they speak
Futuro do Conjuntivo (-ER)
Endings: -er, -eres, -er, -ermos, -erem
comer (to eat)
if/when I eat
if/when you eat
Ele/Elaif/when he/she eats
if/when we eat
Eles/Elasif/when they eat
3Irregular Verbs in the Subjunctive
ser (to be)
(that) I be
(that) you be
Ele/Ela(that) he/she be
(that) we be
Eles/Elas(that) they be
estar (to be — state)
(that) I be
(that) you be
Ele/Ela(that) he/she be
(that) we be
Eles/Elas(that) they be
ter (to have)
(that) I have
(that) you have
Ele/Ela(that) he/she has
(that) we have
Eles/Elas(that) they have
ir (to go)
(that) I go
(that) you go
Ele/Ela(that) he/she goes
(that) we go
Eles/Elas(that) they go
dar (to give)
(that) I give
(that) you give
Ele/Ela(that) he/she gives
(that) we give
Eles/Elas(that) they give
saber (to know)
(that) I know
(that) you know
Ele/Ela(that) he/she knows
(that) we know
Eles/Elas(that) they know
haver (to have — impersonal)
(that) I have
(that) you have
Ele/Ela(that) he/she has / there be
(that) we have
Eles/Elas(that) they have
Examples
chova
Maybe it will rain tomorrow.Espero
I hope you're well. importante
It's important that you speak Portuguese. venhas festa.
I want you to come to my party.Duvido resposta.
I doubt he knows the answer. possamos precisamos
So that we can leave, we need to finish. diz-me coisa.
Before you go, tell me something. ninguém foi-se
Without anyone knowing, he left. provável cheguem
It's likely they'll arrive late. acredito verdade.
I don't believe it's true. viajar.
When I have money, I'll travel. chegares, liga-me.
As soon as you arrive, call me.Enquanto viveres cá, renda.
As long as you live here, you have to pay rent.Receio
I'm afraid he won't come.Prefiro fiques
I prefer that you stay at home. necessário paciência.
It's necessary that we have patience. desculpem.
I ask that you forgive me. possas, avisa-me.
As soon as you can, let me know.Caso venhas, diz-me.
In case you don't come, tell me.Mesmo chova, correr.
Even if it rains, I'll go running. proves contrário, acredito.
Until you prove otherwise, I don't believe it. leva
Wherever you go, take your passport. pudesse, ajudava-te.
If I could, I would help you.Tomara tudo corra
I hope everything goes well. mudes ideias,
Unless you change your mind, I'll go alone.Practice Time