como se + Imperfect Subjunctive

Como Se (As if)

Level 4

The structure como se (as if) always triggers the imperfeito do subjuntivo (imperfect subjunctive) to express that a comparison is unreal or hypothetical.

How It Works

The pattern como se + imperfeito do subjuntivo is the standard way to create counterfactual comparisons.

1. The Meaning:
It functions exactly like the English 'as if' or 'as though'. It signals that the speaker knows the following condition is not actually true. For example, 'He speaks as if he were the boss' implies he is not actually the boss.

2. The Verb Form:
You must use the imperfect subjunctive. This tense is formed from the 3rd person plural of the preterite (e.g., falaram → falasse).

3. Tense Logic:
Even though the tense is called 'imperfect' (past), it is used for present hypotheticals.

  • Ele fala como se fosse rico. (He speaks as if he were rich — right now).

4. Accentuation:
Remember that the nós form always requires a written accent: falássemos, comêssemos, partíssemos, tivéssemos.

Examples (5)

  1. Ele gasta dinheiro como se fosse milionário.

    He spends money as if he were a millionaire.

    Word by Word: He spends money as if he were millionaire.

    The verb 'ser' becomes 'fosse' to show that he is not actually a millionaire.

  2. Ela me olhou como se não me conhecesse.

    She looked at me as if she didn't know me.

    Word by Word: She me looked as if not me knew.

    Even though the main verb is in the past (olhou), the 'como se' clause still uses the imperfect subjunctive.

  3. Vocês agem como se nada tivesse acontecido.

    You all act as if nothing had happened.

    Word by Word: You act as if nothing had happened.

    This uses the compound form (tivesse + participle) to refer to a hypothetical past event.

  4. Ele fala de Portugal como se morasse lá.

    He talks about Portugal as if he lived there.

    Word by Word: He talks of Portugal as if lived there.

    The verb 'morar' (to live) takes the -asse ending for the third person singular.

  5. Nós corremos como se estivéssemos atrasados.

    We ran as if we were late.

    Word by Word: We ran as if we were late.

    Note the accent on 'estivéssemos', which is mandatory for the 'nós' form in this tense.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the indicative mood instead of the subjunctive.

    Ele fala como se ele é o chefe.
    Ele fala como se fosse o chefe.

    In Portuguese, 'como se' is a mandatory trigger for the subjunctive. Using the indicative (é) sounds very unnatural to native speakers.

  • Using the present subjunctive for present hypotheticals.

    Ela age como se seja famosa.
    Ela age como se fosse famosa.

    Even for present-tense situations, the 'unreal' nature of 'como se' requires the imperfect subjunctive (fosse), not the present subjunctive (seja).

  • Forgetting the accent in the 'nós' form.

    Eles nos tratam como se fossemos crianças.
    Eles nos tratam como se fôssemos crianças.

    The 'nós' form of the imperfect subjunctive always requires an acute or circumflex accent on the stressed vowel.

How It Connects

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

como se + Imperfect SubjunctiveLevel 4Como Se (As if)

Learn This First

To use 'como se' (as if), a learner must first learn the formation of the imperfect subjunctive, including regular and irregular verbs, as this pattern functions as a trigger for that specific mood to express hypothetical or counterfactual comparisons.

Words in This Pattern

como se