Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): É provável que tu gostes de chá.

It means “it is likely that” or “it’s probable that.” This expression indicates that what follows is not a definite fact but rather something that is expected or probable. It also signals that the subordinate clause should use the subjunctive mood to express uncertainty.

Why is the verb form gostes used here instead of the indicative form gostas that one might expect with tu?

In Portuguese, many expressions that convey uncertainty, probability, or doubt—such as É provável que—require the use of the subjunctive mood in the following clause. Since tu gostas is the indicative form, it is replaced here by tu gostes, which is the subjunctive form appropriate after such expressions.

What role does the preposition de play in the phrase gostes de chá?

The preposition de is an integral part of the verb gostar in Portuguese. This verb always requires de before the object to indicate what is liked. In this sentence, de chá means “of tea,” clarifying that the likelihood is about liking tea.

Is the use of tu and the corresponding subjunctive form specific to European Portuguese, and how might it differ in Brazilian Portuguese?

Yes, the pronoun tu is much more commonly used in European Portuguese, which then demands the subjunctive form gostes in this context. In Brazilian Portuguese, speakers typically use você instead. Although the meaning remains the same, the sentence in Brazilian Portuguese would be "É provável que você goste de chá," with goste being the subjunctive form for você.

Can this sentence be rephrased to avoid using the subjunctive mood, and if so, how?

Yes, the sentence can be rephrased by altering its structure. For instance, you could say "Tu provavelmente gostas de chá." Here, the adverb provavelmente (probably) is used with the indicative form gostas. This construction expresses the same idea without triggering the subjunctive mood because there is no subordinate clause introduced by que.