💰❓

How to Say ‘How much do I owe you?’ in Portuguese

Quanto é que lhe devo?

KWAN-to eh kuh lyeh DEH-voo

[KWAN-to eh kuh lyeh DEH-voo]

💬 Usage Tip: é que slipped into a question is very common in Portugal and doesn't change the meaning: onde é que fica? "where is it?". lhe means "to you" when addressing someone politely.

Phrase Breakdown

Quanto é que

KWAN-to eh kuh

How much is it that

'É que' is a very common emphatic filler in questions. Say it as 'KWAN-tu É k'.

Example

Quanto é que custa?

How much does it cost?

Words in this phrase

Quanto

[KWAN-to]

How much

Used to ask about the amount or quantity of something, typically money.

Example

Quanto tempo temos?

How much time do we have?

[eh]

Form of the verb 'ser' used to identify or state something.

Example

É meu interesse conhecer melhor a empresa.

It is my interest to get to know the company better.

que

[kuh]

that

Often used in expressions like claro que sim to reinforce the statement.

Example

Acho que podemos colaborar bem.

I think that we can collaborate well.

lhe devo?

lyeh DEH-voo

I owe you?

'Lhe' is the formal 'to you'. 'Lh' sounds like the 'lli' in 'million'. Your voice rises at the end.

Example

Já lhe devo dinheiro.

I already owe you money.

Words in this phrase

lhe

[lyeh]

to you

An indirect object pronoun used politely to mean 'to you'.

Example

Lhe trago um café grande.

I’ll bring you a large coffee.

devo

[DEH-voo]

I owe

From 'dever', to owe.

Example

Devo-lhe dez euros.

I owe you ten euros.

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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