Understanding the Past Subjunctive in Portuguese
The subjunctive mood in Portuguese is used to express uncertainty, wishes, doubts, hypothetical situations, and regrets. The past subjunctive (also known as the imperfect subjunctive or “pretérito imperfeito do subjuntivo”) is particularly useful when talking about things that did not happen but could have, especially when expressing regret.
When Do We Use the Past Subjunctive for Regrets?
Regrets often involve situations that are contrary to reality or did not happen as desired. In Portuguese, we use the past subjunctive after certain expressions to convey these feelings. The most common structures for expressing regret are:
- Se (If) + past subjunctive
- Conditional phrases, such as “eu teria” (I would have), often paired with the past subjunctive
- Phrases like “quem dera” (I wish), “oxalá” (if only), or “tomara que” (hopefully), followed by the past subjunctive
Key Structures for Expressing Regrets
1. Using “Se” + Past Subjunctive
To talk about something you wish had been different, start with “se” (if) followed by the verb in the past subjunctive. This is often paired with a main clause in the conditional perfect tense (“teria” + past participle).
Examples:
- Se eu tivesse estudado mais, teria passado no exame.
(If I had studied more, I would have passed the exam.) - Se você tivesse chegado mais cedo, poderíamos ter conversado.
(If you had arrived earlier, we could have talked.)
2. Using “Quem dera” or “Oxalá” + Past Subjunctive
These expressions are used to say “I wish” or “If only,” followed by the verb in the past subjunctive to express regret or longing for something that did not happen.
Examples:
- Quem dera eu tivesse conhecido ela antes.
(I wish I had met her earlier.) - Oxalá ele tivesse entendido o que eu quis dizer.
(If only he had understood what I meant.)
3. Using “Tomara que” + Past Subjunctive
While “tomara que” is often used for hopes about the future, it can also express regret or a wish about the past with the past subjunctive.
Example:
- Tomara que eles tivessem visto o aviso.
(I wish they had seen the notice.)
How to Form the Past Subjunctive in Portuguese
For regular verbs, the past subjunctive is formed by taking the third person plural (eles/elas/vocês) form of the preterite tense, dropping the “-ram,” and adding the appropriate endings:
- -ar verbs: falassem (from falar)
- -er verbs: comessem (from comer)
- -ir verbs: partissem (from partir)
Common irregular verbs include:
- Ter: tivesse
- Ser/Ir: fosse
- Estar: estivesse
- Fazer: fizesse
- Dizer: dissesse
Practical Tips for Learners
- Practice creating “if” clauses using “se” + past subjunctive + conditional perfect to get comfortable with the structure.
- Read and listen to native Portuguese speakers expressing regrets in real-life contexts or in media to develop an ear for these structures.
- Use language learning tools like Talkpal to get instant feedback on your sentences and improve your command of the past subjunctive.
- Don’t be afraid to make mistakes—native speakers will appreciate your effort to communicate more naturally and accurately.
Conclusion
Expressing regrets using the past subjunctive is a key skill for any Portuguese learner looking to deepen their language proficiency. By mastering these structures, you can share your feelings, wishes, and hypothetical situations more authentically. Keep practicing with resources like the Talkpal – AI language learning blog, and soon you’ll be able to express your regrets—and much more—just like a native speaker.
