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How to Say ‘Can I just tell you something quickly?’ in Portuguese

Posso só dizer-te uma coisa rápida?

POH-soo saw dee-ZEHR-tuh OO-muh KOY-sah RAH-pee-dah

[POH-soo saw dee-ZEHR-tuh OO-muh KOY-sah RAH-pee-dah]

🇵🇹 In Portugal: Promising it'll be quick lowers the pressure for a stranger. It's a polite way to open without seeming pushy.

Phrase Breakdown

Posso só dizer-te

POH-soo saw dee-ZEHR-tuh

Can I just tell you

This is a polite, informal way to get someone's attention. The '-te' after the verb is typical of European Portuguese.

Example

Posso só dizer-te obrigado?

Can I just say thank you?

Words in this phrase

Posso

[POH-soo]

can I / may I

Used to ask permission or possibility politely.

Example

Pergunto "Posso pagar em dinheiro?" antes de tirar as notas.

I ask "Can I pay in cash?" before taking out the notes.

só

[saw]

only / just

Used to make something sound modest or unimportant in a polite way.

Example

É só um detalhe, e só minimiza o presente com humildade.

It's just a small detail, and 'só' downplays the gift with humility.

dizer-te

[dee-ZEHR-tuh]

to tell you

Verb 'dizer' (to say/tell) with the informal pronoun 'te' (to you) attached.

Example

Quero dizer-te a verdade.

I want to tell you the truth.

uma coisa rápida?

OO-muh KOY-sah RAH-pee-dah

a quick thing?

Raise your voice at the end to make it a question. 'Rápida' is stressed on 'RÁ'.

Example

Tens uma coisa rápida para mim?

Do you have something quick for me?

Words in this phrase

uma

[OO-muh]

a / one (feminine)

The feminine singular indefinite article, used before feminine nouns like 'mesa'.

Example

Ao chegar, pedimos Uma mesa para dois.

When arriving, we ask for 'A table' for two.

coisa

[KOY-sah]

thing

An item or object, used to refer to any non-specific item in conversation.

Example

Há alguma coisa que você precisa?

Is there anything you need?

rápida

[RAH-pee-dah]

quick

Feminine form of 'rápido', meaning fast or brief.

Example

Foi uma visita rápida.

It was a quick visit.

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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