Se a máquina avariar, chama um técnico.

If the machine breaks down, call a technician.

Breakdown of Se a máquina avariar, chama um técnico.

• um: a
• se: if
• chamar: to call
• avariar: to break down
• a máquina: the machine
• o técnico: the technician

Questions & Answers about Se a máquina avariar, chama um técnico.

What does Se mean in this sentence? Is it the same as the reflexive se?

In Se a máquina avariar, the word Se is a conjunction meaning if, not a reflexive pronoun. It introduces a conditional clause. So here it means “if the machine breaks down,” and has nothing to do with reflexive verbs.

Why is the verb avariar written as avariar and not avaria or avariasse?

After Se for possible future events, Portuguese uses the future-subjunctive. For avariar, the 3rd-person singular form of the future-subjunctive is identical to the infinitive (avariar).

• avaria is present indicative (“it breaks”), which doesn’t convey “if it breaks in the future.”
• avariasse is imperfect subjunctive, which expresses unreal or past hypotheticals.

How is the affirmative imperative chama formed for tu?

The 2nd-person singular affirmative imperative is made by taking the present indicative of tu and dropping the final -s.

• Present indicative: (tu) chamas
• Imperative: chama
  Hence, chama um técnico means “call a technician” (informal you).

Why don’t we include the subject pronoun tu in chama um técnico? Could we say tu chama?

Portuguese normally omits subject pronouns when the verb form makes the subject clear. Saying tu chama is redundant and sounds odd in European Portuguese. You’d only use tu for emphasis, e.g. Tu, chama um técnico!, but not in a neutral command.

Why is um técnico used instead of o técnico?

Um is an indefinite article (“a technician” = any one). You use um técnico because you don’t have a specific technician in mind.
If you wanted a particular technician already mentioned or known, you’d use o técnico (“call the technician”).

Why is there a comma after avariar? Can it be removed?

When a subordinate clause (the Se-clause) comes before the main clause, standard punctuation places a comma between them.
You can reverse the order and drop the comma:
 Chama um técnico se a máquina avariar.

Could we use quando instead of se here?

Se = if (uncertain event).
Quando = when (certain or expected to happen).
Use se if you’re not sure the machine will break. If you know it will break at some point, you could say Quando a máquina avariar, chama um técnico, but that feels more like giving instructions for an inevitable event.

Is avariar the same as quebrar or estragar?

Not exactly.

• avariar is used for mechanical or technical failures (machines, vehicles).
• quebrar is more general for physically breaking objects (glass, chairs).
• estragar (-se) means to spoil or damage (food, feelings, but also machines in a less technical sense).
  In European Portuguese, for a machine breaking down, avariar is the most precise choice.