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How to Say ‘I wasn't expecting that!’ in Portuguese

Não estava à espera!

NOWN esh-TAH-vah ah esh-PEH-rah

[NOWN esh-TAH-vah ah esh-PEH-rah]

💬 Usage Tip: estar à espera is the everyday Portugal way to say 'to wait' or 'to expect'. Compare estou à espera do autocarro "I'm waiting for the bus".

Phrase Breakdown

Não estava

NOWN esh-TAH-vah

I wasn't

'Não' is a nasal diphthong, like 'now' said through the nose. 'Estava' sounds like 'shTA-va'.

Example

Não estava em casa.

I wasn't at home.

Words in this phrase

Não

[NOWN]

not

Used to negate the meaning of a word or group of words.

Example

Não quero comer agora.

I don't want to eat now.

estava

[esh-TAH-vah]

I was

Imperfect of 'estar', first person; here 'I wasn't expecting'.

Example

Eu estava em casa.

I was at home.

à espera!

ah esh-PEH-rah

expecting (it)!

'Estar à espera' means 'to wait' or 'to expect'. The 'à' is an open 'a' sound that links into 'espera'.

Example

Estou à espera do autocarro.

I'm waiting for the bus.

Words in this phrase

à

[ah]

(part of 'à espera': waiting)

Contraction of 'a' + 'a'; 'estar à espera' means to be waiting or expecting.

Example

Estou à espera do autocarro.

I'm waiting for the bus.

espera

[esh-PEH-rah]

wait; expectation

Noun meaning waiting; used in 'estar à espera' (to expect).

Example

A espera foi longa.

The wait was long.

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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