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How to Say ‘Excuse me, good afternoon.’ in Portuguese

Com licença, boa tarde.

kohng lee-SENG-suh boa TAHR-dsh

[kohng lee-SENG-suh boa TAHR-dsh]

🇵🇹 In Portugal: A polite way to break into someone's conversation at an event. Opening with a greeting before your question is expected in Portugal, not optional.

Phrase Breakdown

Com licença,

kohng lee-SENG-suh

Excuse me,

Use this to politely get attention or pass by someone. 'Com' is nasal. Say 'li-SEN-sa'.

Example

Com licença, posso entrar?

Excuse me, may I come in?

Words in this phrase

Com

[kohng]

with

Preposition used to connect an idea to a quality, person, or thing.

Example

Com experiência internacional, o candidato destaca-se mais.

With international experience, the candidate stands out more.

licença

[lee-SENG-suh]

permission / excuse

Literally 'permission'; the full phrase means 'excuse me'.

Example

Diga Com licença ao passar.

Say excuse me when passing by.

boa tarde.

boa TAHR-dsh

good afternoon.

This greeting is used from lunchtime until evening. Say 'BO-a TAR-de'.

Example

Boa tarde, como está?

Good afternoon, how are you?

Words in this phrase

boa

[boa]

good

Everything is fine or okay.

Example

Mesmo com os atrasos, está tudo na boa.

Even with the delays, everything is fine.

tarde

[TAHR-dsh]

afternoon

Means the afternoon; often used in the greeting 'Boa tarde'.

Example

Tarde aparece na expressão Boa tarde.

'Afternoon' appears in the expression 'Good afternoon.'

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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