Phrase · 💡 Giving advice
Se eu fosse você, falava com o chefe.
If I were you, I’d talk to the boss.
B1giving adviceinformalpt-BR-spAudio · coming soon
Why every word is where it is
Se1conjunctionifeupronounI1st sing. · subjectfosse2verbwereser · subjunctive · imperfect · 1st sing.vocêpronounyou3rd sing. · subject,falava3verbwould talkfalar · imperfect · 1st sing.comprepositionwithodeterminerthemasc. · sing. · definitechefenounbossmasc. · sing..
- Se → fosse: trigger
- eu → fosse: subject
- falava → com: preposition
Word for word: “If I were you, (I) talked with the boss.”
Why it's built this way
The notes match the numbers above.
- 1Se + imperfect subjunctive = an unreal condition: I am not you. Conditional sentences: real and unreal →
- 2fosse: imperfect subjunctive of ser (foram → fosse). Spanish fuera. Imperfect subjunctive →
- 3falava: in speech the imperfeito replaces the conditional falaria. Both are correct; falaria is the written one. Conditional sentences: real and unreal →
Variations
- Se eu fosse você, falaria com o chefe.
- No seu lugar, eu falava com o chefe.
- Eu, no seu lugar, falaria com o chefe.