Breakdown of Caso a infusão cheire a camomila, bebo tudo.
beber
to drink
a
to / at (direction)
tudo
everything
cheirar
to smell
caso
in case
a infusão
the infusion
a camomila
the chamomile
Questions & Answers about Caso a infusão cheire a camomila, bebo tudo.
Why do we need the word a after cheire here?
To say something smells like or of a specific scent, you must use cheirar a. If you left out the a, it would sound like the infusion itself is actively sniffing the chamomile! This works exactly like how saber a means to taste like.
Why is the verb conjugated as cheire rather than the standard present tense cheira?
The word caso (in case) introduces a hypothetical situation and always requires the subjunctive mood. Since this is a present possibility, the normal present tense cheira changes to the present subjunctive cheire.
Why isn't the definite article used before camomila, which would combine with the preposition to make à camomila?
When describing a general scent or flavor using cheirar a or saber a, Portuguese often drops the definite article. You are saying it smells like chamomile as a general concept, not a specific, physical batch of chamomile, so the preposition a stands alone.
The first half uses the subjunctive (cheire). Why is the second half just in the present indicative (bebo)?
When setting up a hypothetical condition with caso and the present subjunctive, you can use the present indicative in the main clause to express a firm, immediate intention or a general rule. It translates naturally to saying that if the condition is met, you simply drink it.
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