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B1 (Intermediate)Lesson 3: Introduction to Subjunctive
The present subjunctive expresses doubt, emotion, desire, or hypothetical situations, formed by switching theme vowels (ARâE, ER/IRâA) with specific triggers like "que," "talvez," and "espero que," essential for intermediate Portuguese fluency.
Formation: Switch theme vowels (ARâe, ER/IRâa)
-AR verbs: falar â que eu fale
-ER verbs: comer â que eu coma
-IR verbs: partir â que eu parta
Always preceded by "que" (usually)
Triggered by: emotions, doubts, desires, impersonal expressions
Irregular verbs have special forms
Same form for eu/vocĂȘ/ele/ela
The subjunctive is everywhere in real Portuguese! From wishes ("Espero que vocĂȘ tenha um bom dia") to doubts ("Duvido que ele venha") to polite requests ("Talvez seja melhor..."), you can't have adult conversations without it. While English barely uses subjunctive anymore, Portuguese requires it constantly. Master this and you unlock expressing feelings, opinions, and uncertainty â the stuff of real human communication beyond facts and certainties!
trigger expression + que + subject + subjunctive verb
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| Verb Type | Indicative | Subjunctive | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -AR | -a | -e | fala â fale |
| -ER | -e | -a | come â coma |
| -IR | -e | -a | parte â parta |
que eu fale
"Espero que vocĂȘ tenha um bom dia!" (I hope you have a good day!)
"Tomara que nĂŁo chova amanhĂŁ" (I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow)
"Que tudo dĂȘ certo!" (May everything work out!)
"Desejo que vocĂȘs sejam felizes" (I wish you to be happy)
"Duvido que ele venha Ă festa" (I doubt he'll come to the party)
"Talvez ela saiba a resposta" (Maybe she knows the answer)
"Ă possĂvel que haja atraso" (It's possible there will be a delay)
"NĂŁo acredito que isso seja verdade" (I don't believe this is true)
To maintain pronunciation:
-car: ficar â fique (not fice)
-gar: pagar â pague (not page)
-çar: começar â comece (not começa)
3rd person singular = 1st person singular:
que eu fale = que ele fale
Context determines subject
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