Breakdown of Se o diretor te contrariar, deves manter a calma e explicar a tua posição.
e
and
tua
your
se
if
explicar
to explain
te
you
o diretor
the director
contrariar
to oppose
a calma
the calm
a posição
the position
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Questions & Answers about Se o diretor te contrariar, deves manter a calma e explicar a tua posição.
Why is the verb “contrariar” in this sentence not in the present indicative, and what form is it?
In Portuguese, conditional clauses that refer to possible future events use the future subjunctive. Although “contrariar” looks like its basic form, in “Se o diretor te contrariar…” it is actually the future subjunctive form. This form is used after “se” to indicate that the director’s action (contradicting or opposing you) may happen in the future.
What does the pronoun “te” refer to, and why is it placed before the verb “contrariar”?
“Te” is an unstressed clitic pronoun that stands for the informal “you” (associated with the pronoun “tu”). In Portuguese the object pronoun is typically placed before the conjugated verb, so “te contrariar” means “contradicts you” or “opposes you.” It shows that the action of contradicting is directed toward the person being addressed.
What is the role of “deves” in this sentence, and how does it function?
“Deves” is the second person singular (tu) form of the verb “dever,” which means “must” or “should.” It is used here to express an obligation or recommendation: if the director contradicts you, you must remain calm and explain your position.
Why is “tua” used as the possessive adjective in this sentence instead of “sua”?
“Tua” is the possessive form that corresponds with the informal pronoun “tu,” which is used in Portugal in familiar contexts. Since the sentence uses the informal second person (“te” and “deves”), “tua posição” (“your position”) aligns with that informal register. In contrast, “sua” would be used for formal contexts or with the pronoun “você.”
How does the sentence structure express a conditional situation, and what are its key components?
The sentence divides naturally into two parts: the condition and the result. The first part, “Se o diretor te contrariar,” sets a condition using “se” (“if”) and the future subjunctive form “contrariar,” indicating that it refers to a possible future event. The second part, “deves manter a calma e explicar a tua posição,” gives the resulting obligation or advice – that you must keep calm and explain your position. Together, they form a classic conditional structure where a potential event leads to a recommended action.