pagasse

Pagasse is a conjugated form of the Portuguese verb pagar (to pay). It is the imperfect subjunctive form used in subordinate clauses to express doubt, possibility, wish, or hypothetical conditions in the past or in counterfactual contexts. The endings in this mood follow the pattern eu pagasse, tu pagasses, ele pagasse, nós pagássemos, vós pagásseis, eles pagassem.

In standard usage, pagasse appears in sentences introduced by se or other subjunctive-triggering words. For example: Se eu pagasse a dívida hoje, não haveria juros. Caso ele pagasse as parcelas em dia, o acordo seria mantido. These constructions convey hypothetical or nonreal situations, often with a main clause in a conditional or past conditional form.

Regional and stylistic notes: pagasse is more common in written, formal, or literary Portuguese. In everyday speech, speakers may prefer other forms to express conditional meaning, such as pagaria (the conditional) or the present subjunctive in certain contexts. The imperfect subjunctive, including pagasse, remains a standard part of the verb’s full paradigm and is taught as part of tense-m mood agreement in Portuguese grammar.

Related terms: pagar, pretérito imperfeito do subjuntivo, subjuntivo, Portuguese verb conjugation.