Breakdown of Quer o cantil esteja cheio, quer esteja vazio, estás desidratado.
estar
to be (temporary / location)
vazio
empty
o
him/it (m)
cheio
full
quer
whether
o cantil
the canteen (flask)
desidratado
dehydrated
Questions & Answers about Quer o cantil esteja cheio, quer esteja vazio, estás desidratado.
Why do we use the subjunctive esteja after quer in this sentence?
The structure quer... quer... translates to 'whether... or...' and is used to show alternative possibilities that do not change the main outcome. In Portuguese, this structure requires the subjunctive mood because it sets up hypothetical scenarios rather than declaring a single fact. So, we use esteja (the present subjunctive of estar) instead of the present indicative está.
Is the word quer here related to the verb querer (to want)?
Yes, historically it comes from the third-person singular of querer. However, when used in this specific repeated structure (quer... quer...), it functions entirely as a conjunction meaning 'whether... or...' and has nothing to do with wanting or desiring.
Why do we use esteja rather than seja for 'full' and 'empty'?
This is a great chance for a quick refresher on the difference between ser and estar. We use estar here because being full (cheio) or empty (vazio) is a temporary physical state of the canteen (cantil), not a permanent, defining characteristic.
Why is the subject missing in the second half of the phrase: quer esteja vazio?
In Portuguese, it is very common to drop the subject when it is already obvious from the context. Since we just established the subject as o cantil in the first clause, repeating it before the second esteja would sound unnatural and repetitive.
Why is estás in the indicative mood when the first part of the sentence uses the subjunctive?
The first part uses the subjunctive because it presents alternative conditions. However, the main clause, estás desidratado ('you are dehydrated'), states a definite reality or fact that occurs regardless of those conditions. Therefore, the main clause stays in the normal indicative mood.
Learn Quer o cantil esteja cheio, quer esteja vazio, estás desidratado 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