A Menos Que: How to Say ‘Unless’ in Portuguese — Practice
A guided practice lesson with English explanations, Brazilian Portuguese examples, and answers you can check. Read the examples, recall the meaning, then say a version of your own.
Use a menos que to introduce an exception
A menos que means “unless.” It introduces the condition that would change or prevent the main plan. In a future situation, Portuguese commonly uses the present subjunctive after a menos que.
The verb form may look present, but the clause often points to a future possibility: A menos que chova, vamos caminhar (Unless it rains, we’ll go for a walk). The main clause gives the plan that depends on that condition.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| A menos que chova, vamos almoçar no jardim. | Unless it rains, we’ll have lunch in the garden. |
| A menos que ela precise de ajuda, termino o relatório hoje. | Unless she needs help, I’ll finish the report today. |
| A menos que haja uma mudança, a aula começa às nove. | Unless there is a change, class starts at nine. |
Recognize the subjunctive after a menos que
Common forms include chova (it rains), precise (you or she need), and haja (there is). For regular -ar verbs, the present subjunctive often ends in -e for você/ele/ela; regular -er and -ir verbs often end in -a.
Use se (if) for many direct conditions with a future meaning: se chover, vamos ficar em casa. Both se and a menos que can introduce a condition, but a menos que specifically frames it as an exception to the main plan.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| A menos que o ônibus atrase, chegaremos antes das dez. | Unless the bus is delayed, we’ll arrive before ten. |
| Se o ônibus atrasar, mando uma mensagem. | If the bus is delayed, I’ll send a message. |
| A menos que você tenha outra ideia, vamos reservar esta mesa. | Unless you have another idea, we’ll reserve this table. |
Remember: Use a menos que for ‘unless’ and expect the subjunctive in its clause; the main clause states what will happen if the exception does not occur.
Check your understanding
Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.
Recall the Portuguese, then say it
Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.
Unless it rains, we’ll have lunch in the garden.
Show a Portuguese answer
A menos que chova, vamos almoçar no jardim.
Unless she needs help, I’ll finish the report today.
Show a Portuguese answer
A menos que ela precise de ajuda, termino o relatório hoje.
Unless there is a change, class starts at nine.
Show a Portuguese answer
A menos que haja uma mudança, a aula começa às nove.
Unless the bus is delayed, we’ll arrive before ten.
Show a Portuguese answer
A menos que o ônibus atrase, chegaremos antes das dez.
If the bus is delayed, I’ll send a message.
Show a Portuguese answer
Se o ônibus atrasar, mando uma mensagem.
Unless you have another idea, we’ll reserve this table.
Show a Portuguese answer
A menos que você tenha outra ideia, vamos reservar esta mesa.
Make the phrase useful to you
Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.
Use a menos que for ‘unless’ and expect the subjunctive in its clause; the main clause states what will happen if the exception does not occur.
Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.
Sources and your next lesson
This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our A Menos Que: How to Say ‘Unless’ in Portuguese lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.
To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.
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