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How to Say ‘Yes, with my mother's help.’ in Portuguese

Foi, com a ajuda da minha mãe.

foy kohng uh uh-ZHOO-duh dah MEE-nyah mah-ee

[foy kohng uh uh-ZHOO-duh dah MEE-nyah mah-ee]

Phrase Breakdown

Foi, com a ajuda

foy kohng uh uh-ZHOO-duh

It was, with the help

'Foi' alone answers 'yes, it was'. The Portuguese often answer by repeating the verb. Pause briefly after 'Foi'.

Example

Foi, com a ajuda do meu pai.

It was, with my father's help.

Words in this phrase

Foi

[foy]

it was / was

Past tense of 'ser,' often used in polite follow-up phrases like 'foi um prazer.'

Example

Foi ótimo conhecê-lo no evento.

It was great to meet you at the event.

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.

[uh]

the

Feminine singular definite article, meaning 'the'.

Example

A empresa parece aberta a novas ideias.

The company seems open to new ideas.

ajuda

[uh-ZHOO-duh]

help

Noun meaning assistance.

Example

Preciso de ajuda.

I need help.

da minha mãe.

dah MEE-nyah mah-ee

of my mother.

'Mãe' has a nasal diphthong. Say 'my' through your nose: 'mynh'.

Example

Falei com a amiga da minha mãe.

I spoke with my mother's friend.

Words in this phrase

[dah]

of the

Contraction of de + a, used before a feminine singular noun.

Example

Em «Da» nossa conversa, a contração soa natural em português.

In “of our conversation,” the contraction sounds natural in Portuguese.

minha

[MEE-nyah]

Possessive adjective showing something belongs to the speaker.

Example

A minha experiência no evento foi positiva.

My experience at the event was positive.

mãe

[mah-ee]

Mother

A woman in relation to her child or children.

Example

Ela é uma mãe amorosa.

She is a loving mother.

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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