Portuguese Phrase
É importante que você confirme se vem.
Meaning
This phrase emphasizes the necessity of receiving confirmation from someone regarding their attendance or participation. The use of 'que você confirme' triggers the subjunctive mood, indicating a desire, necessity, or uncertainty rather than a factual statement. 'Se vem' literally means 'if you come,' but in this context, it implies 'if you are coming' or 'if you will come.'
When to use
You would use this phrase when you need someone to confirm their presence for an event, meeting, or gathering. It's a polite yet firm way to request a response, often used when planning requires knowing the exact number of attendees, such as for a dinner party, a business meeting, or a trip.
✦Grammar Breakdown
É importantequevocêconfirmesevem
É importante que...
This is a common impersonal expression used to state the importance or necessity of something. It almost always triggers the subjunctive mood in the following clause.
Confirme (Subjunctive)
The verb 'confirmar' (to confirm) is used here in the present subjunctive mood ('confirme'). This is because it follows an expression of importance ('É importante que...') and refers to an action that is desired or necessary, not a certainty.
Se vem
'Se' means 'if'. 'Vem' is the third-person singular present indicative of 'vir' (to come). In this context, 'se vem' functions as 'if you are coming' or 'if you will come', indicating a conditional future action. The indicative is used here because the 'if' clause expresses a potential reality, not a desire or command.
🗨In Conversation
Vamos fazer um jantar no sábado. É importante que você confirme se vem.
We're having dinner on Saturday. It's important that you confirm if you're coming.
Ah, que legal! Confirmo até amanhã de manhã.
Oh, cool! I'll confirm by tomorrow morning.
✕Common Mistakes
É importante que você confirma se vem.
After 'É importante que...', the verb in the subordinate clause must be in the subjunctive mood. 'Confirma' is indicative.
É importante que você confirma se virá.
Similar to the above, 'confirma' is indicative. While 'virá' (future indicative) is grammatically correct for 'will come,' the subjunctive 'confirme' is still required.
É importante que você confirme se você vem.
While not strictly wrong, repeating 'você' after 'se' is redundant and less natural in Portuguese. The subject is already clear from the verb conjugation.
↔Alternatives
Por favor, confirme sua presença.
Please, confirm your presence.
Preciso que você me diga se vem.
I need you to tell me if you're coming.
Seria bom se você pudesse confirmar.
It would be good if you could confirm.
Cultural Tip
In many Portuguese-speaking cultures, confirming attendance for social events, especially meals or parties, is considered good etiquette. It helps the host plan appropriately, from food quantities to seating arrangements. While direct, this phrase is generally seen as a reasonable request, not impolite. For very formal situations, 'É essencial que sua presença seja confirmada' might be used, but 'É importante que você confirme se vem' is suitable for most contexts.