Breakdown of Tu lembras-te de estudar para o exame?
tu
you
estudar
to study
para
for
o exame
the exam
lembrar-se de
to remember
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Questions & Answers about Tu lembras-te de estudar para o exame?
Why is the reflexive pronoun attached to the verb in “lembras-te”?
In Portuguese, the verb lembrar-se is reflexive, meaning the action of remembering refers back to the subject. In this sentence, “te” serves as the reflexive pronoun for “tu” (you). In European Portuguese, especially with the informal “tu” form, the pronoun is often attached at the end of the verb, forming “lembras-te.”
What is the function of the preposition de in the sentence?
The preposition de is an integral part of the construction with lembrar-se. When you want to specify what is being remembered, Portuguese requires de to introduce that element. In the sentence, de estudar para o exame indicates that the act of studying for the exam is the content being recalled.
How does “tu lembras-te de estudar para o exame?” compare to the Brazilian Portuguese equivalent?
In Brazilian Portuguese, the same idea is typically expressed as você se lembra de estudar para o exame? Here, você replaces “tu” and the reflexive pronoun se precedes the verb. Although both forms mean essentially the same thing, the structure, especially the placement of the reflexive pronoun, differs regionally.
What role does the infinitive phrase “estudar para o exame” play in the sentence?
The phrase estudar para o exame is an infinitive clause that functions as the complement to the verb. It specifies exactly what is being remembered, serving as the content of the recollection in the sentence.
Does the sentence imply “Do you remember studying for the exam?” or “Do you remember to study for the exam?”
This sentence is typically interpreted as “Do you remember studying for the exam?” The structure lembrar-se de + infinitive tends to refer to recalling a past action or a plan that may have already been completed, rather than reminding someone about a future action. However, context is always important in determining the precise meaning in English.
What tense is used in this sentence, and why is it appropriate?
The sentence is in the present tense, which is appropriate because it asks a direct question about the current state of the subject’s memory—whether they remember (or recall) the act of studying for the exam. Using the present tense makes the question immediate and relevant to the person being addressed.