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

Se não se importasse

suh nao seh eem-poor-TAH-suh

[suh nao seh eem-poor-TAH-suh]

🇵🇹 In Portugal: A very courteous opener with a driver you address as o senhor. It lands as polite and reasonable, which helps when you're disagreeing.

Phrase Breakdown

Se não

suh nao

If not / If you didn't

'Se' is a soft 'suh'. 'Não' is a nasal 'now'. Say them together quickly.

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 importasse

seh eem-poor-TAH-suh

mind

'Importar-se' means 'to mind'. 'Se' blends into 'importasse', with stress on 'TA': 'sim-pur-TA-suh'.

Example

Se não se importasse, sentava-me aqui.

If you didn't mind, I'd sit here.

Words in this phrase

[seh]

yourself

Used in many contexts to refer to the person being addressed.

Example

Cuide de "se" mesmo.

Take care of yourself.

importasse

[eem-poor-TAH-suh]

you minded

Past subjunctive of importar-se (to mind), used for polite requests.

Example

Se não se importasse, fechava a janela?

If you didn't mind, would you close the window?

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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