Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): Se o alarme tocar outra vez, o meu tio vai pôr as sandálias e sair rapidamente. - If the alarm rings again, my uncle will put on his sandals and leave quickly.

In Portuguese, tocar can mean “to play” (an instrument) or “to ring” (a bell, doorbell, alarm, etc.). So in this context o alarme tocar literally means “the alarm rings.”

Why does the sentence start with Se o alarme tocar instead of Quando o alarme tocar?

Se means “if” and introduces a potential condition (“if the alarm rings again”). Quando means “when” and implies the event is expected to happen for sure at some point. Here, because it’s uncertain whether the alarm will ring again, se is the correct choice.

Why is the present indicative (tocar) used after Se, rather than the subjunctive (tocasse)?

For real, likely future conditions in Portuguese, you use se + present indicative. The subjunctive (se + tocasse) is reserved for hypothetical or unlikely situations. Since you expect the alarm might really ring, the present indicative is used.

Why is the near future expressed with vai pôr instead of the simple future pôrá?

European Portuguese often prefers the periphrastic future (ir + infinitive, here vai pôr) to talk about what someone is going to do soon. The synthetic future (pôrá) exists but sounds more formal or literary in spoken European Portuguese.

Why does pôr carry a circumflex accent, and how is it different from por?

Pôr (with circumflex) is the verb “to put on.” The accent distinguishes it from the preposition por (meaning “for,” “by,” “through,” etc.). Without the accent, the words would be homographs.

Why is it o meu tio with the definite article o before the possessive?

In European Portuguese, it’s common (and often required) to place a definite article before a possessive adjective when referring to family members or other nouns: o meu tio, a minha mãe, etc. In Brazilian Portuguese, you can sometimes omit the article.

What’s the nuance between outra vez and de novo?

Both mean “again.” Outra vez is slightly more formal or neutral, literally “another time.” De novo is more colloquial, literally “from new.” In many contexts they’re interchangeable.

Why is rapidamente used here instead of rápido?

Rápido is an adjective (“quick,” “fast”) and needs to modify a noun. To modify a verb like sair, you need the adverb rapidamente (“quickly”). Portuguese adverbs often end in -mente, equivalent to English -ly.

Why does the sentence use sandálias instead of chinelos?

Sandálias refers to sandals (with straps, open shoes). Chinelos are flip-flops or slippers. The choice depends on the style of footwear. Here the uncle is specifically putting on sandals.