Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): É fundamental que negociemos um horário mais flexível, para termos mais tempo livre ao fim de semana. - It’s crucial that we negotiate a more flexible schedule so that we have more free time on weekends.

Expressions like É fundamental que convey a sense of necessity or recommendation, which in Portuguese requires the subjunctive mood in the subordinate clause. Using negociemos (first-person plural subjunctive) reflects that the action is not stated as a fact but as something that ought to happen.

What role does the phrase É fundamental que play in the sentence?

The phrase É fundamental que introduces an important opinion or obligation. It sets the tone that the action following it—negotiating a more flexible schedule—is essential. This construction automatically triggers the subjunctive mood in the subordinate clause to emphasize that the outcome is desired or recommended rather than definitive.

Why is the form para termos used instead of simply using the basic infinitive ter?

In this sentence, termos is the personal infinitive form of ter that agrees with the subject nós (we). When a purpose clause explicitly refers to the subject (in this case, the same group that is negotiating), Portuguese often employs the personal infinitive. This form makes clear that it is we who are intended to have more free time.

What does the phrase um horário mais flexível mean and why is it structured this way?

The phrase um horário mais flexível translates to a more flexible schedule. Horário means schedule or timetable, while mais flexível specifies that it should be more adaptable than the current one. The indefinite article um indicates that the sentence refers to some (not a specific) schedule that needs to be renegotiated for more freedom.

What does ao fim de semana mean, and is it a common expression in European Portuguese?

Ao fim de semana literally means at the end of the week, which is equivalent to on the weekend in English. It is a widely used and standard expression in European Portuguese to refer to the weekend, emphasizing the period when one expects to have more leisure time.

How do the two subordinate clauses in the sentence differ in terms of verb forms and function?

The first subordinate clause, que negociemos um horário mais flexível, uses the present subjunctive (negociemos) following an evaluative expression (É fundamental que) to express a necessity or recommendation. In the second clause, para termos mais tempo livre ao fim de semana, the personal infinitive (termos) is used. This clause expresses purpose or intended outcome. The differences highlight how Portuguese employs distinct moods/forms based on the clause’s function in the sentence.