Portuguese Phrase
A gente te liga quando os resultados do seu exame estiverem prontos.
Meaning
This phrase means 'We will call you when your exam results are ready.' It uses 'a gente' as an informal way to say 'we,' and 'te liga' for 'will call you.' The future subjunctive 'estiverem' is crucial here, indicating a future condition.
When to use
This phrase is commonly used in medical settings, such as a doctor's office, clinic, or laboratory, to inform a patient about the process of receiving test results. It can also be adapted for any situation where a group (informally 'we') will contact someone once a specific future condition (results being ready) is met.
✦Grammar Breakdown
A gentete ligaquandoos resultados do seu exameestiverem prontos
A gente
'A gente' is an informal way to say 'we' in Brazilian Portuguese. Although it means 'we,' it always takes a verb conjugated in the third-person singular (like 'ele/ela').
te liga
'Te liga' is an informal way to say 'will call you.' In Brazilian Portuguese, the present tense is often used to express future actions, especially in informal contexts. 'Te' is the informal direct object pronoun for 'you'.
quando
'Quando' means 'when.' When followed by a future event or condition, it typically triggers the future subjunctive tense in the following verb.
estiverem prontos
'Estiverem' is the future subjunctive form of the verb 'estar' (to be), conjugated for 'eles/elas' (they). It is used here because 'quando' introduces a future condition that has not yet occurred. 'Prontos' means 'ready' and agrees in gender and number with 'resultados'.
🗨In Conversation
Quando terei os resultados do meu exame?
When will I have my exam results?
A gente te liga quando os resultados do seu exame estiverem prontos.
We'll call you when your exam results are ready.
✕Common Mistakes
Nós te ligamos quando os resultados do seu exame estão prontos.
Using 'estão' (present indicative) instead of 'estiverem' (future subjunctive) is incorrect after 'quando' when referring to a future, uncertain event.
A gente te ligará quando os resultados do seu exame estiverem prontos.
While 'ligará' is grammatically correct for 'will call,' 'a gente te liga' is the more common and natural informal future construction in Brazilian Portuguese.
A gente liga você quando os resultados do seu exame estiverem prontos.
In Portuguese, object pronouns like 'te' (you) are typically used with verbs like 'ligar' (to call) rather than the full pronoun 'você' directly after the verb in this context.
↔Alternatives
Nós te ligaremos quando os resultados do seu exame estiverem prontos.
We will call you when your exam results are ready.
Ligaremos para você quando os resultados do seu exame estiverem prontos.
We will call you when your exam results are ready.
Entraremos em contato quando os resultados do seu exame estiverem prontos.
We will get in touch when your exam results are ready.
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian Portuguese, 'a gente' is extremely common in informal speech and writing to mean 'we,' often replacing 'nós.' While grammatically it takes a third-person singular verb (like 'ele/ela'), it functions as a plural subject. This phrase reflects a common, direct, and informal way of communicating in Brazil, especially in service interactions where a friendly tone is often preferred.