Si vostè vol, podem seure a la sorra després de nedar.

to want

Breakdown of Si vostè vol, podem seure a la sorra després de nedar.

• vostè: you
• després de: after
• a: on

Questions & Answers about Si vostè vol, podem seure a la sorra després de nedar.

Why does the sentence use vostè instead of tu?

Vostè is the formal way to say you in Catalan, similar to Spanish usted. It is used to be polite, respectful, or a bit more distant.

So:

• Si vostè vol... = If you want... (formal)
• Si vols... = If you want... (informal, singular)

A more informal version of the whole sentence would be:

• Si vols, podem seure a la sorra després de nedar.

Even though vostè refers to one person, the verb usually behaves like he/she in standard Catalan:

• vostè vol
• not vostè vols

Why is it Si vostè vol and not something like Si vostè volrà?

After si meaning if, Catalan normally uses the present indicative when talking about a real possibility in the future.

So:

• Si vostè vol, podem seure... = If you want, we can sit...

This is very natural in Catalan. English sometimes also uses the present after if:

• If you want, we can...

Using a future form here would sound wrong in normal Catalan.

What does podem mean exactly?