B2 (Upper Intermediate)Lesson 5: Hypothetical Structures
Brazilian Portuguese uses hypothetical structures with imperfect subjunctive and conditional tenses to speculate about unlikely scenarios, express regret about past situations, and give polite advice, though everyday speech often simplifies these with indicative mood or creative workarounds.
Present hypothetical: "Se eu tivesse dinheiro, viajaria" (If I had money, I would travel)
Past hypothetical: "Se eu tivesse estudado, teria passado" (If I had studied, I would have passed)
Speculation: "Será que...?" "Talvez..." "Deve ser..." "Pode ser que..."
Regret: "Devia ter..." "Podia ter..." "Se eu soubesse..."
Advice: "Se eu fosse você..." "Seria melhor..." "Você devia..."
Informal speech often uses imperfect indicative instead of subjunctive
"Ia" (imperfect of ir) frequently replaces conditional in speech
Brazilians love "Quem me dera" for impossible wishes
se + imperfect subjunctive + conditional (present hypothetical) OR se + pluperfect subjunctive + conditional perfect (past hypothetical) OR informal alternatives
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Every Brazilian conversation is peppered with "Se eu fosse você..." (If I were you...) when giving advice, "Devia ter ligado" (Should have called) when expressing regret, and "Será que vai chover?" (I wonder if it'll rain) when speculating! These structures let you navigate the delicate dance of Brazilian communication – from softening criticism with hypotheticals to lamenting missed opportunities at last night's party. Master these and you'll handle everything from job interview "what-ifs" to relationship "should-haves" with the grace of a native speaker.
The textbook formula exists, but real life is messier and more interesting!
Formula: Se + imperfect subjunctive + conditional
Example: "Se eu ganhasse na loteria, compraria um apartamento na praia"
Translation: If I won the lottery, I would buy a beach apartment
Formula: Se + pluperfect subjunctive + conditional perfect
Example: "Se eu tivesse chegado mais cedo, teria conseguido ingresso"
Translation: If I had arrived earlier, I would have gotten a ticket
"Será que o chefe vai gostar da apresentação?" (Wonder if the boss will like the presentation)
"Deve ter uns 30 graus hoje" (Must be about 30 degrees today)
"Talvez role um churrasco no domingo" (Maybe there'll be a BBQ on Sunday)
"Pode ser que atrase por causa da chuva" (Might be late because of rain)
"Capaz de ela já ter chegado" (She's probably already arrived)
"Se eu tivesse investido em Bitcoin, estaria rico agora" (If I had invested in Bitcoin, I'd be rich now)
"Devia ter aproveitado a promoção" (Should have taken advantage of the sale)
"Podia ter me esperado pelo menos!" (You could have at least waited for me!)
"Quem me dera ter estudado medicina" (I wish I had studied medicine)
Many Brazilians, especially younger speakers, actively avoid subjunctive:
Traditional: "Se ele viesse..."
Common: "Se ele vinha..."
Youth: "Se ele vir..." (using future subjunctive wrongly)
São Paulo: More likely to maintain formal structures in business
Rio: Extensive use of "ia" instead of conditional
Northeast: "Oxe, se eu tinha dinheiro, comprava era tudo!"
South: Closer to traditional Portuguese grammar rules
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