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Se o arranhão continuar vermelho, volto à farmácia para comprar outra pomada.

Se o arranhão continuar vermelho, volto à farmácia para comprar outra pomada.
If the scratch stays red, I’ll go back to the pharmacy to buy another ointment.
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Questions & Answers about Se o arranhão continuar vermelho, volto à farmácia para comprar outra pomada.

Why is continuar used after se? Is it the infinitive?

In this sentence, continuar is not functioning as a plain infinitive. It is the future subjunctive, which Portuguese commonly uses after se when talking about a possible future condition.

So:

  • Se o arranhão continuar vermelho... = If the scratch remains red...

This can be confusing because, with many regular verbs, the future subjunctive has the same form as the infinitive.

Compare:

  • continuar = infinitive: to continue
  • se ele continuar = future subjunctive: if it continues / if it remains

You would not normally use continua here for this kind of future condition.

Why is volto in the present tense if the meaning is future?

Because in Portuguese, especially in everyday language, the present indicative is often used to talk about the near future or a planned future action.

So:

  • volto à farmácia literally looks like I return to the pharmacy
  • but here it means I’ll go back to the pharmacy

This is very natural in Portuguese. It is similar to English using the present for future arrangements in some cases.

A more explicitly future version would be:

  • voltarei à farmácia

That is also correct, but volto sounds more natural and conversational here.

Why is it à farmácia and not just a farmácia?

À is a contraction of:

  • a = the preposition to
  • a = the feminine definite article the

So:

  • volto a + a farmácia becomes volto à farmácia

This means I go back to the pharmacy.

The accent in à is not just a pronunciation mark here; it shows the contraction.

A useful comparison:

  • ao supermercado = a + o
  • à farmácia = a + a
Why do we say para comprar?

Para + infinitive is a very common way to express purpose in Portuguese.

So:

  • para comprar outra pomada = to buy another ointment

It answers the question why? or for what purpose?

Examples:

  • Vou ao banco para levantar dinheiro. = I’m going to the bank to withdraw money.
  • Estudo para aprender. = I study to learn.

If you want to mention a different subject, Portuguese can also use a personal infinitive:

  • para eu comprar
  • para ela comprar

But in your sentence, the simple para comprar is the natural choice.

Why is it vermelho and not vermelha?

Because vermelho agrees with o arranhão, and arranhão is masculine singular.

So the adjective must also be masculine singular:

  • o arranhão vermelho
  • continuar vermelho

If the noun were feminine, the adjective would change:

  • a ferida vermelha

This agreement happens even though vermelho comes after continuar. It is still describing the scratch.

Why is there no eu before volto?

Because Portuguese often leaves out subject pronouns when they are already clear from the verb form.

  • volto already tells you the subject is eu because of the -o ending

So:

  • volto à farmácia = I go back to the pharmacy

Adding eu is possible, but it usually adds emphasis, contrast, or clarity:

  • Eu volto à farmácia, mas tu ficas aqui.

In neutral sentences, leaving out eu is very normal.

What exactly does outra pomada mean? Do I need uma?

Outra pomada usually means another ointment or a different ointment.

You do not need uma here. In fact, outra pomada is the most natural phrasing.

  • comprar outra pomada = buy another ointment

You can sometimes hear uma outra pomada, but that is usually more emphatic or stylistically heavier. For most everyday situations, just use outra.

Also, outra can mean either:

  • another one of the same kind
  • a different one

The exact nuance depends on context.

Could I say Se o arranhão estiver vermelho instead?

Yes, you could, but the meaning changes slightly.

  • Se o arranhão continuar vermelho suggests it is already red now and may stay red
  • Se o arranhão estiver vermelho means if the scratch is red at that future moment

So continuar vermelho emphasizes persistence:

  • it is red now
  • and it keeps being red

That is why it fits well in a sentence about monitoring a symptom and deciding whether to go back to the pharmacy.

Is arranhão the normal word for a scratch?

Yes. Arranhão is a common word for a scratch, especially a noticeable one on the skin or on a surface.

It often suggests something a bit more marked than a tiny scratch.

Related words:

  • arranhar = to scratch
  • arranhão = a scratch
  • arranhadela = a scratch, often a lighter or more informal one

In your sentence, arranhão sounds perfectly natural.

Why is there no article before vermelho or outra pomada?

Because those words are playing different roles:

  • vermelho is an adjective describing o arranhão
  • outra is already acting as a determiner before pomada

So:

  • continuar vermelho = remain red
  • outra pomada = another ointment

You do not normally put an article before vermelho in this structure, and you usually do not need an article before a noun already introduced by outra.

That is why:

  • Se o arranhão continuar vermelho... sounds natural
  • ...comprar outra pomada also sounds natural