Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): Tu arriscarias começar um negócio, se tivesses apoio suficiente e um plano discreto mas sólido? - Would you risk starting a business if you had enough support and a discreet but solid plan?

"Arriscarias" is the conditional form of the verb "arriscar" (to risk) used here in the second person singular. It expresses a hypothetical scenario—similar to “would risk” in English—indicating that starting a business is contingent upon the stated conditions being met.

Why is "tivesses" used instead of a form like "tivesse"?

"Tivesses" is the second person singular form of the imperfect subjunctive of "ter" (to have). Because the sentence addresses "tu" (the informal second person singular), the conjugation must agree with that subject. In conditional sentences, the if-clause typically uses the imperfect subjunctive to express a hypothetical situation (i.e., “if you had”).

How is the overall sentence structured in terms of its conditional components?

The sentence is built as a conditional statement with two parts: the main clause and the if-clause. The main clause "Tu arriscarias começar um negócio" is in the conditional mood, indicating what would happen under certain conditions. The if-clause "se tivesses apoio suficiente e um plano discreto mas sólido" uses the imperfect subjunctive to set the condition—comparable to the English “if you had…” structure.

Why is the pronoun "tu" used in this context, and what effect does it have on the verb conjugations?

In European Portuguese, "tu" is commonly used for informal, singular address. When “tu” is the subject, verbs must be conjugated in the second person singular forms, which is why we see "arriscarias" and "tivesses." Using "tu" (rather than "você") implies familiarity or informality.

What does the phrase "plano discreto mas sólido" mean in this context?

The phrase translates to “a discreet but solid plan.” Here, "discreto" implies that the plan should be modest, low-key, or not overly flashy, while "sólido" conveys that it should be robust, reliable, and well-thought-out. The combination stresses the importance of having a carefully constructed plan that, although not ostentatious, is dependable.

How do the verb tenses and moods used in this sentence compare to the way conditionals work in English?

In English, a similar sentence would be structured as “Would you risk starting a business if you had enough support and a discreet but solid plan?” Both languages use a conditional mood (using "would" in English and "arriscarias" in Portuguese) in the main clause to indicate a hypothetical action. In the if-clause, English uses the simple past ("had") to express a counterfactual or hypothetical condition, while Portuguese employs the imperfect subjunctive ("tivesses") to achieve a similar effect.