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How to Say ‘I speak a little Portuguese’ in Portuguese

Falo um pouco de português

FAH-loo oong POH-koo day Por-too-geez

[FAH-loo oong POH-koo day Por-too-geez]

💬 Usage Tip: When um pouco is followed by a thing, you add de in between. For example, um pouco de água "a little water".

Phrase Breakdown

Falo um pouco

FAH-loo oong POH-koo

I speak a little

'Falo' means 'I speak' (from 'falar'). 'Um pouco' means 'a little'. 'Um' is nasal, and 'pouco' sounds like 'POH-koo'.

Example

Falo um pouco de inglês.

I speak a little English.

Words in this phrase

Falo

[FAH-loo]

I speak

First person of 'falar'; used to say what language you speak.

Example

Falo um pouco de português no restaurante.

I speak a little Portuguese in the restaurant.

um

[oong]

a / one

Indefinite article used before a masculine singular noun.

Example

No gráfico há um valor em destaque.

In the chart there is a value highlighted.

pouco

[POH-koo]

little / a bit

Used to indicate a small amount or degree.

Example

Isto demora um pouco, mas consigo pagar já.

This takes a bit, but I can pay right away.

de português

day Por-too-geez

(of) Portuguese

'De' links 'um pouco' to the language. Stress the last syllable, and say the final 's' as 'sh': 'duh poor-too-GAYSH'.

Example

Gosto de português.

I like Portuguese.

Words in this phrase

de

[day]

of

Used to indicate an association between two entities, typically belonging.

Example

A forma de círculo é perfeita para rodas.

The shape of a circle is perfect for wheels.

português

[Por-too-geez]

Portuguese

The language spoken in Portugal, Brazil, and several other countries.

Example

O português é uma língua romântica.

Portuguese is a romantic language.

Related guides

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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