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How to Say ‘I should have sent a message.’ in Portuguese

Devia ter mandado mensagem.

deh-VEE-ah tehr mahn-DAH-doo men-SAH-zhenge

[deh-VEE-ah tehr mahn-DAH-doo men-SAH-zhenge]

💬 Usage Tip: Devia ter + a past form means "I should have". Swap the last word: Devia ter ligado "I should have called".

Phrase Breakdown

Devia ter

deh-VEE-ah tehr

I should have

'Devia' (duh-VEE-a) plus 'ter' expresses regret about the past: 'should have'.

Example

Devia ter estudado mais.

I should have studied more.

Words in this phrase

Devia

[deh-VEE-ah]

I should (have)

Imperfect of 'dever'; expresses obligation or regret.

Example

Devia estudar mais.

I should study more.

ter

[tehr]

have

Auxiliary verb used to form perfect tenses.

Example

Ela deve ter chegado.

She must have arrived.

mandado mensagem.

mahn-DAH-doo men-SAH-zhenge

sent a message.

'Mandar mensagem' means to text someone. In Portugal no article is needed here. 'Mensagem' ends with a nasal sound.

Example

Já te mandei mensagem.

I already texted you.

Words in this phrase

mandado

[mahn-DAH-doo]

sent

Past participle of 'mandar', to send.

Example

Tenho mandado cartas.

I have been sending letters.

mensagem

[men-SAH-zhenge]

message

A written or digital message, such as a text, email, or note.

Example

Enviei uma mensagem para agradecer a conversa.

I sent a message to thank them for the conversation.

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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