Learn Portuguese (Portugal): O chefe não pode falar consigo.

O chefe não pode falar consigo.

The boss cannot speak with you.

Breakdown of O chefe não pode falar consigo.

Questions & Answers about O chefe não pode falar consigo.

Why is the word consigo used here instead of com você?

consigo is a special merged word meaning "with you" (formal), "with him", or "with her". In Portugal, it is the standard and most polite way to say "with you" when using formal speech, instead of separating it into com você.

Can consigo mean anything else besides "with you"?

Yes! Because it acts as the "with" form for all third-person singular pronouns, consigo can also mean "with him" or "with her". You have to rely on the context of the conversation to know if the speaker is talking directly to you or talking about someone else.

Why isn't the verb falar (to speak) conjugated to match the boss?

Because it comes right after another verb. When you have a helper verb like pode (can) followed by an action, only the first verb changes to match the subject. The second verb, falar, stays in its basic dictionary form (the infinitive).

How do we know if O chefe is a male or female boss?

The word chefe itself is neutral and doesn't change spelling. We know this is a male boss because of the masculine word for "the" (O) right before it. If it were a female boss, the sentence would start with A chefe.