Contanto Que: Say ‘Provided That’ in Portuguese
Contanto que means ‘provided that’ or ‘as long as.’ It sets a condition and commonly takes the subjunctive.
Real Life Portuguese · 5 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Contanto que means “provided that” or “as long as.” It introduces the condition that must be met for the main plan or result to work. In many future-oriented sentences, the verb after it appears in the present subjunctive.
Use contanto que to set a requirement
The expression is more explicit than a simple yes. It says that the speaker agrees or expects something on the condition that another detail is true.
Você pode usar a sala, contanto que deixe tudo organizado.
You can use the room, provided that you leave everything organized.
A gente pode sair cedo, contanto que o ônibus passe às sete.
We can leave early as long as the bus comes at seven.
Aceito ajudar, contanto que a tarefa esteja bem explicada.
I’ll agree to help, provided that the task is clearly explained.
Notice the subjunctive forms after the condition
Common forms include deixe (you leave), passe (it comes), and esteja (it is). The subjunctive marks the condition as something being required or anticipated, rather than simply reporting an established fact.
Desde que can also mean “as long as” when it introduces a condition, but it can mean “since” when it marks a starting point in time. Contanto que is a clearer choice when you mean a requirement.
Você pode ficar, contanto que avise antes.
You can stay, as long as you let us know beforehand.
Desde que chegou, ele trabalha neste escritório.
He has worked in this office since he arrived.
Vamos de carro, contanto que alguém dirija.
We’ll go by car, provided someone drives.
Put it into practice
Use contanto que to state a requirement; the clause commonly takes the subjunctive and names the condition for the main plan.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “We can leave early as long as the bus comes at seven”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
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