Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): Ela vai cancelar o encontro se estiver muito doente. - She will cancel the meeting if she is too sick.

“Estiver” is the future subjunctive form of the verb “estar.” In Portuguese, when a condition refers to a future or uncertain event—as it does after “se” (if)—the future subjunctive is used. Although in English we say “if she is very sick,” Portuguese requires “se estiver” to properly convey that uncertain, future possibility.

What does the construction “ela vai cancelar o encontro” tell us about the future action?

The phrase “ela vai cancelar o encontro” uses a periphrastic construction (verb “ir” + the infinitive “cancelar”) to express a future action. This is a common way in Portuguese to talk about what someone is going to do in the future. It means “she is going to cancel the meeting” or “she is going to cancel the date,” depending on context.

What is meant by “o encontro” in this sentence?

“ O encontro” literally translates to “the meeting” or “the encounter.” Depending on the context, it could refer to a business meeting, a social appointment, or even a date in a romantic sense. The exact meaning usually depends on the situation in which the sentence is used.

Does the clause “se estiver muito doente” refer back to “ela” even though the subject isn’t repeated?

Yes, it does. In Portuguese, once the subject is established in the main clause (“ela”), it is common to omit it in subordinate clauses if it remains the same. So in “se estiver muito doente,” it is understood that the subject is still ela.

How does the phrase “muito doente” function in the sentence?

“Muito doente” is an adjective phrase where “muito” intensifies the adjective “doente” (sick). It means “very sick,” indicating a high degree of illness. The structure shows that the cancellation will happen only under the condition that she becomes significantly sick.