Learn Portuguese (Portugal): Ainda que não sejas desastrado, a travessa pesada pode partir-se-te. - Even if you are not clumsy, the heavy platter can break on you.

This is an accidental reflexive structure, sometimes called the 'dative of accident'. First, we take partir-se, which means the platter breaks spontaneously or by accident (literally 'breaks itself'). Then, we add the indirect object pronoun -te to indicate who is affected by this accident. Together, it means the platter accidentally breaks 'on you', making it clear that you didn't break it on purpose!

Why are the pronouns attached in that specific order (-se-te)?

When stacking pronouns in European Portuguese, the reflexive pronoun (se) almost always comes before the indirect object pronoun (te). Because partir is an infinitive following the auxiliary verb pode, it is perfectly natural to attach this combined pronoun chain directly to the end of the infinitive using hyphens.

Why is the verb sejas in the subjunctive mood instead of the indicative és?

The conjunction Ainda que (even if / even though) is a trigger phrase that always requires the subjunctive mood. It sets up a concessive clause, meaning it introduces a condition ('you aren't clumsy') that doesn't actually prevent the main action ('the platter can break') from happening.

Can I use Mesmo que instead of Ainda que in this sentence?