Breakdown of Se o tempo estiver mau, o melhor é aproximar-se de um abrigo e abrir o guarda-chuva.
ser
to be
um
a
estar
to be
e
and
abrir
to open
se
if
o tempo
the weather
mau
bad
o melhor
the best
aproximar‐se de
to approach
o abrigo
the shelter
o guarda‐chuva
the umbrella
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Questions & Answers about Se o tempo estiver mau, o melhor é aproximar-se de um abrigo e abrir o guarda-chuva.
Why does the sentence use the future subjunctive form “estiver” instead of the present indicative “está”?
In Portuguese, conditional clauses introduced by “se” (if) that refer to a future possibility use the future subjunctive. Since the sentence talks about the possibility of bad weather, “estiver” is used to correctly express that future condition.
What does the adjective mau mean, and how is it different from mal or ruim?
Mau means “bad” (as the opposite of bom, meaning “good”) and is used to describe the quality of nouns, as in mau tempo (“bad weather”). In contrast, mal functions mostly as an adverb meaning “badly” or “poorly,” and ruim is an informal adjective also meaning “bad.” The choice of mau here is standard when referring to the poor quality of something like weather.
What does the reflexive verb aproximar-se mean, and why is the reflexive pronoun se necessary?
Aproximar-se means “to approach” or “to get closer to.” The reflexive pronoun se is required because the verb’s meaning involves the subject moving closer by itself, making it a pronominal verb. This construction emphasizes that the action is performed by the subject on itself or in reference to its own movement toward something—in this case, a shelter.
How does the expression o melhor é function in this sentence?
O melhor é translates to “the best thing is” or “it is best to.” It introduces a recommendation or advice by stating the optimal action under the given circumstances. In the sentence, it’s followed by two actions in the infinitive form, which is typical in Portuguese for giving advice or suggestions in an impersonal manner.
How are the two advised actions—aproximar-se de um abrigo and abrir o guarda-chuva—grammatically connected?
Both actions are presented as recommendations that follow the impersonal expression o melhor é. They are in the infinitive form and are coordinated by the conjunction e (and), which connects two equally recommended actions to be taken if the condition (bad weather) occurs.