Breakdown of Se a porta estiver trancada, não a tentes empurrar, pois pode partir‑se.
estar
to be
a porta
the door
não
not
pois
because
se
if
tentar
to try
poder
to be able
trancado
locked
empurrar
to push
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Questions & Answers about Se a porta estiver trancada, não a tentes empurrar, pois pode partir‑se.
Why is the verb in the conditional clause written as “estiver” instead of a form from the indicative mood?
“Estiver” is in the subjunctive mood, which Portuguese uses in conditional clauses to express uncertainty or a hypothetical situation. Here, “if the door is locked” is not an absolute fact but a condition, so the subjunctive is used rather than the indicative.
What is the purpose of the object pronoun “a” in “não a tentes empurrar”?
The pronoun “a” refers back to “a porta” (the door). In European Portuguese, especially in negative commands, the object pronoun is placed before the verb to clearly indicate what is being affected by the action, thereby avoiding repetition of the noun.
How is “tentes” functioning here, and why is it conjugated in this particular way?
“Tentes” is the second-person singular (tu) negative imperative form of the verb “tentar.” In Portuguese, negative commands use the present subjunctive form rather than the standard imperative. This form indicates that the command is directed at someone with whom you have an informal relationship.
What does the reflexive construction “partir‑se” signify, and why is the reflexive pronoun attached with a hyphen?
“Partir‑se” is a reflexive form meaning “to break” or “to split apart.” The reflexive pronoun “se” is attached with a hyphen according to Portuguese grammatical rules for reflexive verbs. This construction indicates that the door could break by itself (or as a direct result of the action), rather than someone breaking it.
What function does the conjunction “pois” serve in this sentence?
“Pois” means “because” or “since” and is used to introduce an explanation. In this sentence, it links the advice not to push the door with the reason—the door may break if pushed when locked—thereby clarifying the causal relationship.
Does the sentence use a formal or informal register, and how can you tell?
The sentence employs an informal register. The use of “tentes” (the tu-form) rather than a formal alternative indicates that the command is meant for someone with whom the speaker is on familiar terms.