Learn Portuguese (Portugal): A regra é simples: não se permite fumar aqui. - The rule is simple: smoking is not allowed here.

A regra é simples: não se permite fumar aqui.

The rule is simple: smoking is not allowed here.

Breakdown of A regra é simples: não se permite fumar aqui.

Questions & Answers about A regra é simples: não se permite fumar aqui.

Why is se used in não se permite?

This is the passive or impersonal se. Instead of saying exactly who doesn't allow it, se permite translates to "it is allowed" or "one allows". With the negative não, it becomes "is not allowed". This is a very common way to state public rules in Portuguese.

Why does se come before the verb here (não se permite) instead of attaching to the end?

In European Portuguese, pronouns normally attach to the end of the verb. However, negative words like não act as "magnets" that pull the pronoun directly in front of the verb. If the sentence were positive, it would be permite-se, but the não forces it to be não se permite.

Why is the infinitive verb fumar (to smoke) used to mean "smoking"?

In Portuguese, the unconjugated infinitive form of a verb (like fumar) is used to talk about an action as a general concept. Where English often uses an "-ing" noun (like "smoking" or "swimming"), Portuguese just uses the infinitive.

Would the adjective simples change if the noun were masculine or plural?

No! Simples has the exact same form for both masculine and feminine nouns. It is also a handy word because it already ends in an "s", so it stays exactly the same in the plural, too (for example, regras simples).