Breakdown of Se encontrar a outra meia, volto a ter o par completo.
ter
to have
encontrar
to find
voltar
to return
se
if
a
to
outro
other
a meia
the sock
completo
complete
o par
the pair
Questions & Answers about Se encontrar a outra meia, volto a ter o par completo.
Why is there no subject pronoun before encontrar in “Se encontrar a outra meia…”?
In Portuguese you can use the personal infinitive when the subject of the conditional clause is the same as in the main clause (here, “I”). Omitting eu + infinitive is common in speech. It’s equivalent to saying Se eu encontrar a outra meia….
What tense or mood is used in Se encontrar?
It’s the personal infinitive of encontrar, used after se to express a real (likely) condition. You could also use the present subjunctive (Se eu encontre) in more formal style, or the present indicative (Se eu encontro) rarely, but the infinitive version is very natural.
What does volto a ter mean in this sentence?
Volto a + infinitive means “I do something again.” So volto a ter literally means “I have again,” i.e. “I’ll have … again.”
Could I use de novo or outra vez instead of volto a ter?
Yes. You could say Se encontrar a outra meia, tenho o par completo de novo or … tenho outra vez o par completo. But volto a ter is a very common way to say “I’ll have it again.”
Why is outra meia singular instead of outras meias?
You’re referring to one single sock you’re missing, so it’s singular: a outra meia = “the other sock.” If you were missing two pairs you’d say outras meias.
What exactly is o par completo?
Par is “pair.” O par completo means “the complete pair,” i.e. both socks together, not just one. The definite article o marks it as a specific pair you’re talking about.
Why is se translated as “if” and not “when”?
Se expresses a condition (uncertainty): “if I find it.” Quando would mean “when I find it,” implying you’re sure you’ll find it. Here you’re not certain, so you use se.
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