🙏❓

How to Say ‘If you don't mind’ in Portuguese

Se não se importar

suh nao suh im-poor-TAR

[suh nao suh im-poor-TAR]

💬 Usage Tip: importar takes an extra se when it means "to mind". The ending -ar here marks a polite "if you happen to" form, as in se puder "if you can".

Phrase Breakdown

Se não

suh nao

If ... not

'Se' means 'if' and sounds like a short 'suh'. 'Não' is nasal 'nãw'.

Example

Se não chover, vamos.

If it doesn't rain, we'll go.

Words in this phrase

[suh]

A conjunction used to introduce a condition politely.

Example

Comecei com «Se» for possível para fazer um pedido com cuidado.

I started with “If” possible to make a request carefully.

não

[nao]

not

Used to make a verb negative.

Example

Eu não gosto dessa rota.

I do not like this route.

se importar

suh im-poor-TAR

you mind

'Importar-se' means 'to mind'. Here it's in the future subjunctive. Say 'suh ĩ-pur-TAR'.

Example

Se não se importar, eu sento-me aqui.

If you don't mind, I'll sit here.

Words in this phrase

[suh]

(reflexive) yourself

Reflexive pronoun in 'importar-se' (to mind).

Example

Importa-se de esperar?

Do you mind waiting?

importar

[im-poor-TAR]

to mind

With 'se', means to mind or object.

Example

Não me importo.

I don't mind.

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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