Breakdown of Se ainda sobrar sopa, vou levar um pouco para o almoço de amanhã.
um
a
de
of
ir
to go
para
for
ainda
still
se
if
a sopa
the soup
o almoço
the lunch
levar
to take
sobrar
to remain
o amanhã
tomorrow
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Questions & Answers about Se ainda sobrar sopa, vou levar um pouco para o almoço de amanhã.
What is the grammatical role of se ainda sobrar sopa in the sentence?
It functions as a conditional clause that means “if there is still soup left.” In Portuguese, such clauses use the future subjunctive to indicate an uncertain future condition, even though the verb form may look like the base form.
Why is the verb sobrar used instead of a form like sobra?
In intended future conditions, Portuguese uses the future subjunctive. Although sobrar appears uninflected, this is its future subjunctive form—not the present indicative sobra—which is standard in conditional clauses referring to events that may or may not happen in the future.
How is the phrase almoço de amanhã constructed, and what does it mean?
Almoço de amanhã literally translates to “lunch of tomorrow,” which is equivalent to “tomorrow’s lunch” in English. The preposition de is used to link almoço (lunch) with amanhã (tomorrow), creating a possessive-like construction common in Portuguese.
What is the difference between levar and trazer, and why is levar appropriate in this sentence?
Both verbs can mean “to take” or “to bring,” but they differ by perspective. Levar is used when moving something away from your current location to another place, whereas trazer is used when bringing something to the speaker’s location. In this sentence, since the speaker is taking some soup to another place for tomorrow’s lunch, levar is the correct choice.
What purpose does the word ainda serve in the sentence?
Ainda means “still” or “yet.” It emphasizes the condition that the soup must remain available before the speaker decides to take some for tomorrow’s lunch. This word signals that the action is contingent upon the continued presence of the soup.