Breakdown of Se não tens natas frescas, podes juntar leite e um bocado de salsa.
e
and
não
not / no
de
of / from / by (means of transport) / wearing (attire)
ter
to have
o leite
the milk
poder
can / may (verb)
juntar
to add
se
if
fresco
cool, fresh
um bocado
a bit, a while
as natas
the cream
a salsa
the parsley
Questions & Answers about Se não tens natas frescas, podes juntar leite e um bocado de salsa.
Why is se não written as two separate words here instead of the single word senão?
In this sentence, se não is a conditional if (se) followed by the negative not (não) modifying the verb tens. You use the two-word form when expressing a literal if you do not. The single word senão means otherwise or else, which would not make sense structurally here.
Shouldn't we use the future subjunctive here, like Se não tiveres?
You certainly can use the future subjunctive (Se não tiveres) to sound more hypothetical. However, using the present indicative (Se não tens) is perfectly correct and very common in everyday speech, especially when talking about a present, concrete reality like checking what is currently in your fridge.
Why is the word for cream, natas, in the plural form here?
In European Portuguese, the word for culinary cream is almost always used in the plural: as natas. Because it is a feminine plural noun, the adjective must agree with it, which is why we see the plural frescas rather than the singular fresca.
Is um bocado de the best way to say a little bit of? Could I use um pouco de?
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