Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Brazil): Você pode me lembrar de comprar leite hoje à tarde? - Can you remind me to buy milk this afternoon?

It means "Could you remind me to buy milk this afternoon?" Even if the meaning is already provided, knowing the exact translation can help you recognize how the structure in Portuguese compares with English.

Why is the preposition de used after lembrar?

In Portuguese, when you use lembrar in the sense of "to remind someone to do something," it is normally followed by the preposition de plus the infinitive verb. So, lembrar de comprar means "to remind [someone] to buy," linking the reminder to the action.

Why is the pronoun me placed before lembrar?

Portuguese typically places object pronouns (like me, meaning "me") before the conjugated verb. In this case, me comes before lembrar to indicate that the reminder is for the speaker. This placement follows common clitic pronoun rules in Brazilian Portuguese.

Can lembrar mean both "to remind" and "to remember"? How do I know which one is meant here?

Yes, lembrar can mean both "to remind" and "to remember", but the meaning depends on the context and sentence construction. In this sentence, because it involves asking someone to help you recall an action—comprar leite—it clearly means "to remind."

Why is there no article before leite in the phrase comprar leite?

In Portuguese, many uncountable or generic nouns like leite (milk) are often used without an article when referring to the substance in general. So, saying comprar leite is similar to how English speakers say "buy milk" without needing "the" or "some" in this context.

What tenses are used in this sentence, and why is the infinitive comprar used after lembrar?

The verb pode is in the present tense of poder (meaning "can"), which sets up the request. The verb comprar is in its infinitive form, which is the standard form following verbs like lembrar when referring to an action that needs to be remembered or carried out later. This combination is common in Portuguese to indicate a plan or intention for a future action.