Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): Vou lavar a gola e verificar se a costura está intacta. - I will wash the collar and check if the seam is intact.

In everyday speech they’re often interchangeable, but colarinho usually refers specifically to a dress-shirt collar, while gola can denote any type of collar (or even a jacket lapel).

Why is there a definite article a before gola?

Portuguese generally uses definite articles before body parts or clothing when the item is understood or specific. So vou lavar a gola literally means I’m going to wash the collar (the one in question).

How does the construction vou lavar express future time?

Portuguese commonly forms a near future with ir + infinitive. Vou lavar literally ‘I go to wash’ functions as I will wash. It’s more frequent in speech than the simple future lavarei.

Could I attach a clitic pronoun to lavar, like vou lavá-la?

Yes. In Portuguese you can attach object pronouns to infinitives: vou lavá-la means I’ll wash it (referring back to a gola).

What does verificar se mean and why is se used?

Verificar means to check or to verify. Se introduces an indirect question or condition—so verificar se a costura está intacta means to check whether/if the seam is intact.

What is costura, and why is intacta in the feminine form?

Costura means seam or stitching and is a feminine noun. Portuguese adjectives agree in gender and number with their nouns, hence intacta is feminine singular to match costura.

Can I use another verb instead of verificar, such as comprovar?

Yes. Comprovar (to prove or to verify) works here too. You could say vou lavar a gola e comprovar se a costura está intacta with the same intended meaning.