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Words that force the subjunctive

Portuguese uses the subjunctive mood to express uncertainty, doubt, and subjective feelings. For English speakers, this can be tricky because English generally relies on standard verb forms or helping words like might and may in these situations.

In Portuguese, certain adverbs and conjunctions act as strict phrases that call for the subjunctive. When you use expressions like talvez, embora, or até que, you are usually forced to put the following verb into the subjunctive. Using the standard indicative mood after these phrases is a noticeable error, so learning to spot them will instantly make your Portuguese sound more natural.

Word list
até queA2 until até que + subjunctive for future or hypothetical events talvezA2 maybe talvez + subjunctive when placed before the verb apesar de queB1 although apesar de que + subjunctive emboraB1 although embora + subjunctive mesmo queB1 although mesmo que + subjunctive mesmo seB1 although mesmo se + future or imperfect subjunctive
Expressing doubt with talvez

The adverb talvez translates to maybe or perhaps. Because it inherently introduces doubt, the verb that immediately follows it must be in the subjunctive. Where English uses the future tense or a helping verb, Portuguese simply combines talvez with the present subjunctive.

Talvez chova amanhã.
(Maybe it will rain tomorrow.)
Talvez ela venha à festa.
(Maybe she will come to the party.)
Conceding a point with embora and mesmo que

When you want to say although or even though, you will use embora or mesmo que. These expressions introduce a contrast or a concession. In Portuguese grammar, this framing always requires the subjunctive mood, even if you are stating a known fact.

Embora esteja cansado, vou trabalhar.
(Even though I am tired, I will work.)
Vou sair mesmo que faça frio.
(I am going out even though it is cold.)
Anticipating an action with até que

The word até means until. If you place it before a noun, you do not need the subjunctive. However, if you use até que to introduce a new part of the sentence with a conjugated verb, you must use the subjunctive when talking about future or hypothetical events. This same pattern applies to other classic phrases that call for the subjunctive like para que and antes que.

Vamos esperar até que pare de chover.
(We will wait until it stops raining.)
Não coma nada até que o médico autorize.
(Do not eat anything until the doctor allows it.)
Watch out for exceptions

While these phrases are highly consistent, context can change the rules slightly. If you place talvez at the very end of a sentence as an afterthought, the verb before it stays in the indicative. Similarly, até que only calls for the subjunctive when you are looking forward to an event that has not happened yet. If you are recounting a factual story in the past, you simply use the past indicative.

Eu esperei até que o trem chegou.
(I waited until the train arrived.)
Summary

When a sentence introduces doubt, concession, or an anticipated future action using words like talvez, embora, or até que, prepare to shift the following verb into the subjunctive. Memorizing these specific expressions that call for the subjunctive is the most reliable way to know exactly when the subjunctive is required.