basta-me + Infinitive

Bastar Construction

Level 3

The bastar construction is used to express that something is 'enough' for someone. It combines the verb bastar (to be enough) with an indirect object pronoun (like me, lhe, or nos) and an infinitive verb.

How It Works

The construction basta-me + infinitivo is a concise way to express sufficiency.

1. Structure and Agreement
In this pattern, the verb bastar is used in the 3rd person singular (basta, bastou, bastaria) because the subject of the sentence is the infinitive clause that follows. While bastar conjugates for number when the subject is a plural noun (e.g., 'Bastam-me duas horas'), it remains singular when followed by an action. You use indirect object pronouns to indicate for whom the action is sufficient.

2. Regional Variations and Clitic Placement
Placement of the pronoun follows standard regional rules:

  • In European Portuguese, enclisis is standard: Basta-me saber...
  • In Brazilian Portuguese, proclisis is common in speech: Me basta saber... (See clitic placement).

Additionally, in Brazil, it is very common to use a subject pronoun directly after the verb instead of an object pronoun: Basta eu saber a verdade (It's enough for me to know the truth).

3. Nuance
The primary meaning of this construction is sufficiency—indicating that nothing more is required. Depending on the context, it can also imply a sense of satisfaction or relief, suggesting that a specific condition is all the speaker needs to be content.

Examples (4)

  1. Basta-me saber que estás bem para ficar feliz.

    It is enough for me to know that you are well to be happy.

    Word by Word: Suffices-me to know that you are well to stay happy.

    Here, 'saber' (to know) is the action that is sufficient for the speaker ('me').

  2. Não precisas de explicar tudo; basta-me ver o resultado.

    You don't need to explain everything; it's enough for me to see the result.

    Word by Word: Not you need of to explain all; suffices-me to see the result.

    The speaker uses 'basta-me' to set a limit on what is required.

  3. Bastou-lhe olhar para ela para perceber o que tinha acontecido.

    It was enough for him/her to look at her to realize what had happened.

    Word by Word: Sufficed-him/her to look for her for to realize the what had happened.

    This uses the preterite 'bastou' to show that a past action was sufficient.

  4. Basta-nos ouvir a sua voz para nos sentirmos calmos.

    It is enough for us to hear his/her voice to feel calm.

    Word by Word: Suffices-us to hear the his/her voice for us to feel calm.

    Uses the pronoun 'nos' to show sufficiency for a group.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'para mim' instead of the indirect object pronoun 'me'.

    Basta para mim saber a verdade.
    Basta-me saber a verdade.

    While 'para mim' is used in other contexts, the verb 'bastar' grammatically requires an indirect object pronoun like 'me' or 'lhe'.

  • Pluralizing the verb 'bastar' when followed by multiple actions.

    Bastam-me ler e escrever.
    Basta-me ler e escrever.

    The verb should remain in the singular because the subject is the collective act of the infinitive verbs.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

basta-me + InfinitiveLevel 3Bastar Construction

Learn This First

To learn the 'basta-me + infinitivo' construction, you need to understand how indirect object pronouns work, how to attach them to verbs using enclisis, and how to conjugate the verb 'bastar' in the third person singular.

Words in This Pattern

bastarme