Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): Quando for a hora de sair, lembra-te de convidar o menino para vir connosco. - When it’s time to leave, remember to invite the boy to come with us.

In European Portuguese, the future subjunctive is used in adverbial clauses that refer to future events. Here, for is the future subjunctive form of ser. It captures the idea of a condition that hasn't occurred yet—"when it is time to leave"—making it the correct mood rather than a simple future tense.

What does lembra-te mean, and why is it written in a reflexive form?

Lembra-te comes from the reflexive verb lembrar-se, meaning "to remember." The reflexive pronoun te is attached because in Portuguese, when you use lembrar-se in the imperative, the pronoun must accompany the verb. This structure informs the listener, informally and in the singular form, to "remember to invite the boy."

How is the phrase convidar o menino para vir connosco structured, and what does each part convey?

The phrase breaks down as follows: • Convidar means "to invite." • O menino translates to "the boy." • Para vir connosco means "to come with us." Together, the phrase instructs someone to invite the boy, ensuring that he comes along with the group.

Why is the preposition para used before both sair and vir connosco, and what does it indicate?

The preposition para is used to express purpose or intention. In hora de sair, it is part of the fixed expression "to leave," while in para vir connosco, it indicates the purpose of the invitation—inviting the boy so that he comes along. It functions much like "to" in English when expressing direction or intended action.

What are some common pitfalls that native English speakers might encounter when analyzing this sentence?

Some common issues include: • Misidentifying the Verb Mood: English speakers might mistakenly interpret for as a simple future form instead of recognizing it as the future subjunctive used for conditions. • Omitting the Reflexive Pronoun: Forgetting to use or attach te with lembrar-se can lead to errors when forming commands. • Overlooking Prepositional Nuances: The role of para in indicating purpose might be underestimated, leading to misunderstandings about the intended actions. Being aware of these points helps in mastering important differences in grammar and command structures between English and Portuguese.