Portuguese Phrase
Não te esqueças dos centros de mesa.
Meaning
A friendly reminder not to forget the decorative centrepieces that go on a table. It’s often used when planning events, meals or parties where the visual set‑up matters.
When to use
Use this phrase when you’re coordinating a gathering—wedding, birthday, dinner party, or any event where the table décor is important—and you want to make sure the person responsible remembers to bring or set up the centrepieces.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Nãoteesqueçasdoscentrosdemesa
Negação (Não)
‘Não’ is the standard adverb for negation placed before the verb.
Clitic pronoun (te)
‘te’ is the second‑person singular object pronoun, attached to the verb in imperative sentences.
Negative imperative (esqueças)
In Portuguese, the negative command uses the present subjunctive form: ‘não te esqueças’ (don’t forget).
Contraction (dos)
‘dos’ = ‘de + os’, meaning ‘of the/for the’ and introduces the plural noun that follows.
Noun phrase (centros de mesa)
‘centros de mesa’ means ‘table centrepieces’; ‘centros’ is plural, so the article ‘os’ is required.
🗨In Conversation
Não te esqueças dos centros de mesa.
Don’t forget the centrepieces.
Claro, já os comprei e vou levá‑los amanhã.
Sure, I already bought them and I’ll bring them tomorrow.
✕Common Mistakes
Não te esqueça dos centros de mesa.
The affirmative imperative uses ‘esqueça’; for a negative command you must use the present subjunctive ‘esqueças’.
Não te esqueças dos centro de mesa.
‘Centros’ is plural because you’re referring to more than one centerpiece; the article must agree.
Não esqueças te dos centros de mesa.
In European Portuguese the clitic can appear before the verb in negative commands, but in Brazilian Portuguese it is usually attached after the verb (e.g., ‘Não esqueça‑se’). Keep the form consistent with the region you’re targeting.
↔Alternatives
Lembra‑te de levar os centros de mesa.
Remember to bring the centrepieces.
Não te esqueças de trazer os centros de mesa.
Don’t forget to bring the centrepieces.
Não te esqueças dos arranjos de mesa.
Don’t forget the table arrangements.
Cultural Tip
In Portuguese‑speaking cultures, especially in Brazil and Portugal, table décor is a key element of celebrations. ‘Centros de mesa’ are often floral or decorative arrangements that set the tone of the event. Using a polite reminder like this shows attention to detail and respect for the host’s expectations.