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How to Say ‘Sorry, do you have a minute?’ in Portuguese

Desculpa, tens um minuto?

desh-KOOL-pah TENSH oom mee-noo-too

[desh-KOOL-pah TENSH oom mee-noo-too]

Phrase Breakdown

Desculpa,

desh-KOOL-pah

Sorry / Excuse me,

Informal way to get someone's attention. The first 'e' is almost silent: 'dch-KUL-pa'.

Example

Desculpa, onde é a estação?

Excuse me, where is the station?

Words in this phrase

Desculpa

[desh-KOOL-pah]

sorry / excuse (me)

Informal imperative of 'desculpar', used to apologize to a friend.

Example

Desculpa, não te vi.

Sorry, I didn't see you.

tens um minuto?

TENSH oom mee-noo-too

do you have a minute?

Informal question with 'ter'. Link 'tens' and 'um' smoothly.

Example

Tens um minuto agora?

Do you have a minute now?

Words in this phrase

tens

[TENSH]

you have

Second-person singular of 'ter' in European Portuguese, used informally with 'tu'.

Example

Quando digo «Tens» muito estilo, estou a falar contigo de forma informal.

When I say “You have” a lot of style, I’m speaking to you informally.

[oom]

a / one

Masculine singular indefinite article used before café.

Example

Um café pode ser uma boa ideia para conversar.

A coffee can be a good idea for talking.

minuto

[mee-noo-too]

Minute

A unit of time equal to 60 seconds.

Example

Por favor, espere um minuto.

Please wait a minute.

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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