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How to Say ‘Can I talk to you for a minute?’ in Portuguese

Posso falar contigo um minuto?

POH-soo fah-LAHR kohn-TEE-goo oong mee-NOO-too

[POH-soo fah-LAHR kohn-TEE-goo oong mee-NOO-too]

🇵🇹 In Portugal: Using contigo rather than a formal form is normal with someone your own age in a casual setting. It sounds friendly and relaxed, not pushy.

Phrase Breakdown

Posso falar contigo

POH-soo fah-LAHR kohn-TEE-goo

Can I talk to you

'Contigo' is one word meaning 'with you'.

Example

Posso falar contigo depois?

Can I talk to you later?

Words in this phrase

Posso

[POH-soo]

can I

First person of 'poder'; used to ask permission.

Example

Posso sentar-me aqui?

Can I sit here?

falar

[fah-LAHR]

to speak / talk

"Falar" means to speak or to talk.

Example

Vamos falar sobre oportunidades de estágio.

Let's talk about internship opportunities.

contigo

[kohn-TEE-goo]

with you

"Contigo" means with you when speaking informally to one person.

Example

Falo mais à vontade contigo do que com desconhecidos.

I speak more comfortably with you than with strangers.

um minuto?

oong mee-NOO-too

for a minute?

No word for 'for' is needed. Stress: mi-NU-to.

Example

Espera um minuto.

Wait a minute.

Words in this phrase

[oong]

one

Used as a pronoun: one (train).

Example

Há um às nove.

There's one at nine.

minuto

[mee-NOO-too]

minute

A unit of time equal to sixty seconds; masculine noun.

Example

Espera um minuto, por favor.

Wait a minute, please.

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

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