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How to Say ‘Would you mind explaining the difference to me?’ in Portuguese

Importa-se de me explicar a diferença?

eem-POR-tah-seh deh mee esh-plee-KAR ah dee-feh-ren-sah

[eem-POR-tah-seh deh mee esh-plee-KAR ah dee-feh-ren-sah]

🇵🇹 In Portugal: Querying a fare this way sounds polite and curious rather than accusing. That keeps a driver cooperative, and it's the usual Portuguese way to challenge a charge.

Phrase Breakdown

Importa-se

[eem-POR-tah-seh]

do you mind

Polite form of 'importar-se', used to ask a favour.

Example

Importa-se de fechar a janela?

Do you mind closing the window?

de me explicar

deh mee esh-plee-KAR

explaining to me

'me' comes before the verb here. 'explicar' = to explain.

Example

Pode me explicar o caminho?

Can you explain the way to me?

Words in this phrase

[deh]

(no direct translation)

Preposition linking 'importar-se' to the following verb.

Example

Importa-se de esperar?

Do you mind waiting?

[mee]

Used as the object of a verb, referring to the person speaking.

Example

Ele me chamou ontem.

He called me yesterday.

explicar

[esh-plee-KAR]

to explain

Verb meaning to make something clear.

Example

Pode explicar o preço?

Can you explain the price?

a diferença?

ah dee-feh-ren-sah

the difference?

'diferença' is feminine, so it takes 'a'. Stress the 'ren': 'dee-fuh-REN-suh'.

Example

Qual é a diferença?

What's the difference?

Words in this phrase

[ah]

the (feminine singular)

Same article "a" used before a feminine noun; often unstressed in speech.

Example

A estação é ali à direita.

The station is right there on the right.

diferença

[dee-feh-ren-sah]

Difference

A point or way in which things are not the same.

Example

Qual é a diferença entre estes dois?

What is the difference between these two?

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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