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How to Say ‘I understand.’ in Portuguese

Eu percebo.

ehoo pur-SEH-boo

[ehoo pur-SEH-boo]

💬 Usage Tip: Perceber looks like "perceive" but is the everyday Portuguese word for "understand". Eu "I" is usually dropped, because the verb ending already shows who's speaking.

Phrase Breakdown

[ehoo]

The person who is speaking or writing.

Example

Eu estudo todas as noites.

I study every night.

percebo

[pur-SEH-boo]

I understand

From the verb 'perceber'; with 'Não' it means 'I don't understand'.

Example

Quando falam depressa, Não percebo bem.

When people speak quickly, I don't understand well.

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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