Portuguese Phrase
Confirma se os detectores de fumaça funcionam.
Meaning
The sentence is a polite request to verify whether the smoke detectors are working properly. It is often used during safety checks or before a fire‑drill.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are conducting a building inspection, performing a fire‑safety routine at home or work, or when you need to be sure that the alarm system is operational.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Confirmaseosdetectoresdefumaçafuncionam.
Confirma (imperative)
‘Confirma’ is the formal imperative of the verb *confirmar*. It is used to politely ask someone to verify something.
se (indirect question)
The conjunction *se* introduces an indirect yes‑no question, equivalent to ‘if’ or ‘whether’ in English.
os detectores de fumaça (noun phrase)
A plural noun phrase: *os* (definite article) + *detectores* (detectors) + *de* (of) + *fumaça* (smoke).
funcionam (3rd‑person plural)
The verb *funcionar* in the present indicative, 3rd person plural, agrees with the plural subject *os detectores*.
🗨In Conversation
Confirma se os detectores de fumaça funcionam?
Can you confirm if the smoke detectors work?
Já verifiquei, todos estão a funcionar perfeitamente.
I already checked, they are all working perfectly.
✕Common Mistakes
Confirma se os detectores de fumaça funciona.
The verb must agree with the plural subject *detectores*, so use *funcionam*.
Confirma os detectores de fumaça funcionam.
When using *confirma*, the conjunction *se* is required to introduce the indirect question.
Confirma se o detector de fumaça funcionam.
In Portuguese the plural is *detectores*, not *detector*.
↔Alternatives
Verifica se os alarmes de fumaça estão a funcionar.
Check if the smoke alarms are working.
Pode confirmar se os detectores de fumaça estão operacionais?
Could you confirm whether the smoke detectors are operational?
Certifica‑te de que os detectores de fumaça funcionam.
Make sure the smoke detectors work.
Cultural Tip
In Portugal, the formal imperative *confirma* is common in written or professional contexts. In Brazil, you might hear the more informal *confirma aí* or the verb *verifica*. Also, *detector de fumaça* is the standard term, but many people say *alarme de fumaça* interchangeably.