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How to Say ‘It's just a little something.’ in Portuguese

É só uma lembrança.

eh saw OO-muh lehm-BRAN-sah

[eh saw OO-muh lehm-BRAN-sah]

🇵🇹 In Portugal: The giver's usual reply to não precisavas. It plays down the gift, whatever it cost, and is part of the polite back-and-forth.

Phrase Breakdown

É só

eh saw

It's just

Both vowels are open: 'É SÓ'. Say them together as one unit.

Example

É só um minuto.

It's just a minute.

Words in this phrase

[eh]

It is

Used to identify or describe a situation.

Example

É verdade.

It is true.

só

[saw]

only

No one or nothing more besides; solely.

Example

Só você sabe o que sinto.

Only you know what I feel.

uma lembrança.

OO-muh lehm-BRAN-sah

a little gift / a token.

'Lembrança' means a small gift or souvenir. It sounds like 'lẽ-BRÃ-sa', with nasal vowels.

Example

Trouxe uma lembrança de Lisboa.

I brought a little souvenir from Lisbon.

Words in this phrase

uma

[OO-muh]

Feminine singular indefinite article before 'família'.

Example

Uma empresa pode ter uma cultura muito acolhedora.

A company can have a very welcoming culture.

lembrança

[lehm-BRAN-sah]

souvenir; small gift

A token gift or keepsake; also means 'memory'.

Example

Comprei uma lembrança de Lisboa.

I bought a souvenir from Lisbon.

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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