Portuguese Phrase
As crianças deveriam saber do plano?
Meaning
The sentence asks whether the children ought to be informed about a particular plan. It is a polite, speculative question that uses the conditional mood to express suggestion rather than obligation.
When to use
Use this question when discussing a project, policy, or event that involves children and you want to know if they should be briefed or included in the information flow.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ascriançasdeveriamsaberdoplano?
Definite Article (As)
‘As’ is the feminine plural definite article, used before plural feminine nouns like ‘crianças’.
Noun (crianças)
‘crianças’ means ‘children’; it is feminine plural, so it matches the article ‘as’.
Conditional Verb (deveriam)
‘deveriam’ is the conditional form of ‘dever’ (should/ought to), agreeing with a plural subject.
Infinitive (saber)
‘saber’ is the infinitive ‘to know’; after a modal verb like ‘dever’, the infinitive follows directly.
Preposition + Article (do)
‘do’ = ‘de’ (of) + ‘o’ (the); it contracts before masculine singular nouns.
Noun (plano)
‘plano’ means ‘plan’; it is masculine singular, so it takes the article ‘o’, forming ‘do plano’.
🗨In Conversation
Você acha que as crianças deveriam saber do plano?
Do you think the children should know about the plan?
Sim, elas precisam estar cientes para participar corretamente.
Yes, they need to be aware so they can participate properly.
✕Common Mistakes
As crianças deveriam sabe do plano?
After ‘deveriam’, the verb must stay in infinitive form; ‘sabe’ is a conjugated present tense.
As crianças deveriam saber sobre o plano?
‘Sobre o plano’ is acceptable but changes the nuance; the original phrase uses ‘do plano’ (of the plan) which is more concise.
As crianças deveria saber do plano?
‘Deveria’ is singular; the subject ‘as crianças’ is plural, so the verb must agree: ‘deveriam’.
↔Alternatives
As crianças precisam conhecer o plano?
Do the children need to know the plan?
É necessário que as crianças saibam do plano?
Is it necessary that the children know about the plan?
Devemos informar as crianças sobre o plano?
Should we inform the children about the plan?
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian Portuguese, using the conditional ‘deveriam’ sounds more tentative and polite than the direct ‘precisam’. It’s common to soften suggestions when speaking to parents or educators, showing respect for their authority over the children.