Se calhar o vigilante precisa da tua identificação.

Questions & Answers about Se calhar o vigilante precisa da tua identificação.

Why is precisa in the indicative rather than the subjunctive, since se calhar expresses doubt?
This is a special rule for the phrase se calhar. Even though it means 'maybe' and expresses uncertainty, it is always followed by the normal indicative mood. If you used talvez (perhaps) instead, you would need the subjunctive (talvez precise).
Why is there a da before tua identificação?
The verb precisar (to need) is generally followed by the preposition de when you are saying you need a thing or a person. Here, de combines with the feminine word a (the article that belongs with tua identificação) to form da.
Does the feminine word tua mean the person being spoken to is female?
No, possessives in Portuguese agree with the thing being owned, not the owner. Because identificação is a feminine noun, you must use tua (and its matching article a), regardless of the gender of the person you are talking to.
What does se calhar mean literally?
Literally, it means something like 'if it happens' or 'if it falls'. The verb calhar means to happen by chance or to occur. However, as a fixed expression, se calhar simply means 'maybe' or 'perhaps'.

Learn Se calhar o vigilante precisa da tua identificação and more in Portuguese

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.

  • ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
  • ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
  • ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free