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How to Say ‘Apparently my charm doesn't work on waiters.’ in Portuguese

Pelos vistos, o meu charme não funciona com empregados.

PEH-loosh VEESH-toosh oo may-oo SHAR-muh nowng foon-see-OH-nuh kohng en-preh-GAH-doosh

[PEH-loosh VEESH-toosh oo may-oo SHAR-muh nowng foon-see-OH-nuh kohng en-preh-GAH-doosh]

Phrase Breakdown

Pelos vistos,

PEH-loosh VEESH-toosh

Apparently,

This is a fixed expression meaning 'apparently' or 'it seems'. Say it 'PE-lush VISH-tush'.

Example

Pelos vistos, vai chover.

Apparently, it's going to rain.

Words in this phrase

Pelos

[PEH-loosh]

apparently

'Pelos vistos' is a fixed phrase meaning apparently.

Example

Pelos vistos, vai chover.

Apparently it will rain.

vistos

[VEESH-toosh]

(apparently)

Part of 'pelos vistos'; literally 'seen'.

Example

Pelos vistos, ganhámos.

Apparently we won.

o meu charme

oo may-oo SHAR-muh

my charm

The possessive takes the article 'o'. 'Charme' sounds like 'sharm'.

Example

Uso o meu charme.

I use my charm.

Words in this phrase

[oo]

the

A masculine singular definite article used before nouns.

Example

O prazer de participar foi grande.

The pleasure of taking part was great.

meu

[may-oo]

Used to indicate possession.

Example

Meu carro é novo.

My car is new.

charme

[SHAR-muh]

charm

Attractive, pleasing quality.

Example

Ele tem muito charme.

He has a lot of charm.

não funciona

nowng foon-see-OH-nuh

doesn't work

'Não' is nasal. Stress 'funciona' on 'ci'.

Example

Isto não funciona.

This doesn't work.

Words in this phrase

não

[nowng]

not / no

A common negation word meaning 'not' or 'no'.

Example

Não precisavas de trazer nada, e Não torna a frase negativa.

You didn't need to bring anything, and 'Não' makes the sentence negative.

funciona

[foon-see-OH-nuh]

works

From 'funcionar', to work or function.

Example

Isto não funciona.

This doesn't work.

com empregados.

kohng en-preh-GAH-doosh

with waiters.

'Empregados' means 'waiters' here. The final 's' sounds like 'sh'.

Example

Ela fala com empregados.

She talks with waiters.

Words in this phrase

com

[kohng]

with

Preposition used to connect an idea to a quality, person, or thing.

Example

Com experiência internacional, o candidato destaca-se mais.

With international experience, the candidate stands out more.

empregados

[en-preh-GAH-doosh]

waiters

Plural of 'empregado'.

Example

Os empregados são simpáticos.

The waiters are nice.

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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