Question 1

Is voltamos present or past here? Should it be voltámos?

Accepted Answer

In European Portuguese:
- voltamos = present (we return/come back).
- voltámos = simple past (preterite) (we returned/came back). The accent marks the past.
With Depois do exame, choose:
- voltamos for a habitual/general statement (After exams, we get back to normal).
- voltámos for a specific past event (After the exam, we got back to normal).
Note: In Brazilian usage, people typically write voltamos for both present and past; in Portugal, voltámos for the past is the norm.

Question 2

Where is the word we? Do I need to write nós?

Accepted Answer

Portuguese is a pro‑drop language, so the subject pronoun is often omitted. The verb ending -mos already shows the subject is we. You can add Nós for emphasis or clarity: Nós voltamos/voltámos ao normal, but it’s not required.

Question 3

What are do and ao doing here?

Accepted Answer

They are mandatory contractions with the definite article:
- do = de + o (of/from/after + the): Depois do exame = After the exam.
- ao = a + o (to + the): ao normal = to the normal.
Other useful pairs: da (de+a), dos (de+os), das (de+as), à (a+a), aos (a+os), às (a+as).

Question 4

Why ao normal? Isn’t normal an adjective?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but Portuguese often nominalises adjectives with an article. o normal means the normal state/situation. Hence voltar ao normal = return to normal. You’ll also hear the more formal voltar à normalidade.

Question 5

Why a (ao) with voltar? Could I use para?

Accepted Answer

With states or conditions, voltar a is idiomatic: voltar ao normal, voltar ao trabalho.  
With places, both occur, with nuances:
- voltar a a place (goal/arrival): voltar a Lisboa.
- voltar para a place (movement towards/remaining there): voltar para casa.  
Also: voltar de for coming back from somewhere: voltamos do almoço.  
And voltar a + infinitive means do again: voltar a estudar.

Question 6

Can I say Depois de o exame? What about Depois de um exame?

Accepted Answer

Standard Portuguese contracts de + o → do, so write Depois do exame.  
Depois de o exame is unidiomatic in normal prose.  
If you mean an unspecified exam, use Depois de um exame.

Question 7

Is Após o exame correct? Any difference from Depois do exame?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Após o exame is correct and a bit more formal/literary. Depois do exame is more neutral and common in speech. Note that após does not take de: say Após o exame, not Após do exame.

Question 8

Do I need the comma after the introductory phrase?

Accepted Answer

It’s optional here. A short initial adverbial like Depois do exame can appear with or without a comma:
- Depois do exame voltamos ao normal.
- Depois do exame, voltamos ao normal.
Use the comma if you want a slight pause or emphasis.

Question 9

How do you pronounce key parts in European Portuguese?

Accepted Answer

- Depois: dɨ-POYSH (the first e is reduced, final s is sh).
- do: du.
- exame: i-ZA-m(ɨ) (the x sounds like z; final e is often a light, reduced vowel).
- voltamos: voɫ-TA-mush (final s like sh).
- ao: ow (as in English ow).
- normal: nor-MAL (final l is velar, like a dark l).
These are approximations to guide you.

Question 10

How do I say it in the future (After the exam, we will get back to normal)?

Accepted Answer

Two natural options:
- Depois do exame, vamos voltar ao normal. (periphrastic future, very common in speech)
- Depois do exame, voltaremos ao normal. (simple future, more formal/literary)

Depois do exame, voltamos ao normal.

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