Portuguese Phrase
Avisa a gente imediatamente se você se atrasar.
Meaning
‘Let us know right away if you’re going to be late.’ The speaker asks the listener to give an immediate heads‑up in case of a delay, using a friendly, informal tone.
When to use
Use this sentence when you’re arranging a meeting, a ride, or any event where punctuality matters. It’s perfect for friends, classmates, or coworkers with whom you have a relaxed relationship.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Avisaagenteimediatamentesevocêseatrasar
Avisa (imperative)
‘Avisa’ is the affirmative imperative of the verb ‘avisar’ for the informal ‘tu’ form. In Brazil, it’s often used colloquially even when speaking to someone you’d otherwise address with ‘você’.
a gente (colloquial ‘we’)
‘a gente’ literally means ‘the people’, but it functions as a first‑person plural pronoun equivalent to ‘nós’, and it takes third‑person singular verb agreement.
imediatamente (adverb)
Means ‘immediately’; placed after the verb for emphasis, but can also appear at the start of the sentence.
se (conditional conjunction)
Introduces a conditional clause, equivalent to ‘if’ in English.
você (second‑person pronoun)
Formal or neutral ‘you’; the subject of the conditional clause.
se atrasar (future subjunctive)
The verb ‘atrasar’ appears in the future subjunctive (‑r) after ‘se’, which is required after ‘se’ in conditional sentences.
🗨In Conversation
Avisa a gente imediatamente se você se atrasar.
Let us know right away if you’re going to be late.
Claro, eu te mando uma mensagem assim que eu perceber que vou me atrasar.
Sure, I’ll text you as soon as I realize I’ll be late.
✕Common Mistakes
Avise a gente imediatamente se você se atrasar.
‘Avise’ is the formal imperative; using it with ‘a gente’ sounds stiff. Stick with ‘avisa’ for the casual tone of this sentence.
Avisa nos imediatamente se você se atrasar.
Replacing ‘a gente’ with ‘nos’ changes the verb agreement; you’d need to say ‘avisa‑nos’ and keep the verb singular.
Avisa a gente imediatamente se você se atrasar.
The verb must stay in the future subjunctive ‘atrasar’; using the present ‘atrasar’ is grammatically incorrect after ‘se’.
↔Alternatives
Informe‑nos imediatamente se você for se atrasar.
Inform us immediately if you’re going to be late.
Diga a gente logo se você vai se atrasar.
Tell us right away if you’re going to be late.
Avise a gente o quanto antes caso se atrase.
Notify us as soon as possible in case you’re delayed.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, ‘a gente’ is the go‑to way to say ‘we’ in everyday conversation, even in formal settings. Using the informal imperative ‘avisa’ with ‘a gente’ creates a friendly, almost peer‑to‑peer vibe. If you need a more formal tone, switch to ‘avise‑nos’ and replace ‘a gente’ with ‘nós’. Also, the future subjunctive (‑r) after ‘se’ is a uniquely Portuguese construction that often trips learners; remember it appears only in conditional clauses.