🍷🔁

How to Say ‘When he can drink again’ in Portuguese

Quando ele já puder beber

KWAN-doo EH-lee zhah poo-DEHR buh-BEHR

[KWAN-doo EH-lee zhah poo-DEHR buh-BEHR]

💬 Usage Tip: After quando about the future, the verb takes a special form: pode becomes puder. Same with quando tiver tempo "when I have time".

Phrase Breakdown

Quando ele

KWAN-doo EH-lee

When he

'Quando' sounds like 'KWÃ-du', and 'ele' like 'É-l(e)'. Link them smoothly.

Example

Quando ele chegar, jantamos.

When he arrives, we'll have dinner.

Words in this phrase

Quando

[KWAN-doo]

when

At the time that something happens.

Example

Quando o sol se pôr, jantaremos.

When the sun sets, we will have dinner.

ele

[EH-lee]

Refers to a male person or animal.

Example

Ele foi embora cedo.

He left early.

já puder beber

zhah poo-DEHR buh-BEHR

is able to drink again

'Puder' is the future subjunctive of 'poder', used after 'quando' for the future. 'Já' here means 'by then' or 'once'. Say 'ZHÁ pu-DÊR b(e)-BÊR'.

Example

Vamos sair quando já puder ser.

We'll go out once it's possible.

Words in this phrase

já

[zhah]

already

Prior to a specified or implied time.

Example

Já comi meu almoço.

I have already eaten my lunch.

puder

[poo-DEHR]

he can; he is able

Future subjunctive of 'poder', used after 'quando' for future events.

Example

Quando ele puder, telefona.

When he can, he'll call.

beber

[buh-BEHR]

to drink

Refers to consuming the coffee.

Example

É para beber aqui?

Is it to drink here?

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

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