Breakdown of Tu consegues estudar para o exame?
tu
you
estudar
to study
para
for
o exame
the exam
conseguir
to manage
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Questions & Answers about Tu consegues estudar para o exame?
What does consegues mean, and how is it conjugated in this sentence?
Consegues is the second person singular (tu) form of the verb conseguir, which means "to be able to" or "can." In this sentence, it asks whether you are capable of studying for the exam.
Why is tu used instead of você in this sentence?
In European Portuguese, tu is the common informal form of "you." It is used when speaking in a friendly or familiar context. Although você exists, it is used less frequently in Portugal than in Brazilian Portuguese, where it is more common.
Is "Tu consegues estudar para o exame?" structured as a yes/no question, and how can I tell?
Yes, it is a yes/no question. Portuguese often retains the same word order in questions as in statements, relying on rising intonation or context to signal that it is a question—much like informal spoken English sometimes does without auxiliary inversion.
What role does the phrase para o exame play in the sentence?
The phrase para o exame specifies the purpose of the studying. It tells you that the ability being inquired about is specifically for studying for the exam, not studying in general.
Can I ask the same question using a different verb or structure in Portuguese?
Yes, you can. For example, you might say Podes estudar para o exame? which uses poder (meaning "can" or "to be allowed to") in the second person singular form. This is another common way to ask if someone is able to do something in an informal context.