Portuguese Phrase
Às vezes, se for um jogo importante.
Meaning
The sentence means “Sometimes, if it’s an important game.” It expresses a conditional situation that only applies on occasion, often used when talking about decisions that depend on the significance of a match.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to qualify a statement with a condition that is relevant only on certain occasions—most commonly in sports conversations, planning events, or discussing priorities that change when a game matters.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Àsvezes,seforumjogoimportante.
Às vezes
A fixed expression meaning “sometimes”. It does not change with gender or number.
se + presente do subjuntivo
The conjunction “se” introduces a conditional clause; the verb must be in the present subjunctive (for from ser/ir).
for (subjuntivo de ser)
Here “for” is the 3rd‑person singular present subjunctive of “ser”, meaning “if it is”.
um jogo importante
A noun phrase with the indefinite article “um” and the adjective “importante” placed after the noun, as is normal in Portuguese.
🗨In Conversation
Às vezes, se for um jogo importante, eu treino até tarde.
Sometimes, if it's an important game, I train until late.
Entendo. Mas nos treinos normais você costuma parar mais cedo.
I get it. But in regular trainings you usually stop earlier.
✕Common Mistakes
Às vezes, se é um jogo importante.
Avoid using the indicative “é” after “se” in a conditional; you need the subjunctive “for”.
Às vezes se for um jogo importante.
Missing the comma can make the sentence feel rushed; the pause after “às vezes” is natural in spoken Portuguese.
um importante jogo.
Do not translate “important game” as “importante jogo”; adjectives normally follow the noun in Portuguese.
↔Alternatives
De vez em quando, caso seja um jogo importante.
From time to time, if it is an important game.
Algumas vezes, se o jogo for importante.
Sometimes, if the game is important.
Em certas ocasiões, quando o jogo for decisivo.
On certain occasions, when the game is decisive.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, conditional clauses with “se + subjuntivo” are very common in everyday speech, especially when talking about sports. The phrase “jogo importante” often refers to football (soccer) matches that affect championships or rivalries. Keep the tone informal; using “às vezes” signals a relaxed, conversational register.