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How to Say ‘That happens a lot in Lisbon.’ in Portuguese

Acontece muito em Lisboa.

ah-kohn-TEHS MWEEN-too em Lee-zh-boh-ah

[ah-kohn-TEHS MWEEN-too em Lee-zh-boh-ah]

🇵🇹 In Portugal: Blaming the bus or traffic is a normal, accepted excuse in Lisbon. This line kindly takes the blame off the latecomer.

Phrase Breakdown

Acontece muito

ah-kohn-TEHS MWEEN-too

It happens a lot

'Acontece' (a-kon-TESS) means 'it happens'. No subject pronoun is needed in Portuguese.

Example

Isso acontece muito.

That happens a lot.

Words in this phrase

Acontece

[ah-kohn-TEHS]

happens

Present tense of 'acontecer', to happen.

Example

Isso acontece às vezes.

That happens sometimes.

muito

[MWEEN-too]

very / much

Used to intensify meaning or express quantity. In thanks, it means very much.

Example

Gosto muito de café com leite de aveia.

I like coffee with oat milk very much.

em Lisboa.

em Lee-zh-boh-ah

in Lisbon.

'Em' means 'in' and sounds nasal. 'Lisboa' is pronounced roughly 'lizh-BOH-a'.

Example

Moro em Lisboa.

I live in Lisbon.

Words in this phrase

em

[em]

in

Used to indicate inclusion within something.

Example

Ela está em casa agora.

She is at home now.

Lisboa

[Lee-zh-boh-ah]

Lisbon

The capital and largest city of Portugal, known for its hilly, coastal landscape, vibrant culture, and historic landmarks.

Example

Visitei Lisboa no verão passado e foi incrível.

I visited Lisbon last summer and it was amazing.

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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