Sempre que with the Indicative: Habits and Routines
The phrase sempre que translates to "whenever" or "every time that". When you use it to talk about established habits, everyday routines, or things that regularly happened in the past, it triggers the indicative mood (your standard present or past tenses).
Because these events are viewed as concrete facts or established patterns, no special subjunctive mood is needed.
| Whenever you come here, we socialize with both of the guests. | Sempre que vens cá, convivemos com ambos os hóspedes. |
| Whenever you slept here, you praised the comfort of the room. | Sempre que dormias aqui, elogiavas o conforto do quarto. |
| Whenever they come to Lisbon, we welcome our friends here at home. | Sempre que vêm a Lisboa, acolhemos os nossos amigos cá em casa. |
Sempre que with the Future Subjunctive: Open Possibilities
When "whenever" points to the future—describing an action that hasn't happened yet, or an open, hypothetical possibility—Portuguese requires the future subjunctive.
This structure is extremely common when extending open invitations to houseguests or offering future hospitality. You are essentially saying, "Whenever you might do this in the future, we will be here."
| Whenever you want to stay overnight, the house is yours. | Sempre que quiseres pernoitar, a casa é tua. |
| Whenever they return, we will accommodate the majority of the friends. | Sempre que regressarem, acomodaremos a maioria dos amigos. |
| Whenever you organize a dinner, we want to socialize in this welcoming environment. | Sempre que organizares um jantar, queremos conviver neste ambiente acolhedor. |
Welcoming Guests
Pairing sempre que and the future subjunctive is the perfect way to make visitors feel at home and turn your house into a welcoming refuge.
Remember to conjugate your future subjunctive verb to match the person you are inviting, whether that is a formal você, an informal tu, or a plural vocês.
| Whenever you need a refuge, stay with us as if you were at home. | Sempre que precisar de um refúgio, fique connosco como se estivesse em casa. |
| Whenever you come to Lisbon, this is your home. | Sempre que vieres a Lisboa, este é o teu lar. |
| Whenever you need a home, come back here. | Sempre que precisarem de um lar, voltem cá. |