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How to Say ‘How long does it take, more or less?’ in Portuguese

Quanto tempo demora, mais ou menos?

KWAHN-too TEM-poo deh-MOH-rah mysh oh MEH-noosh

[KWAHN-too TEM-poo deh-MOH-rah mysh oh MEH-noosh]

Phrase Breakdown

Quanto tempo demora,

KWAHN-too TEM-poo deh-MOH-rah

How long does it take,

'Quanto tempo' means 'how much time' and 'demora' means 'it takes'. Stress the second syllable: 'de-MO-ra'.

Example

Quanto tempo demora a viagem?

How long does the trip take?

Words in this phrase

Quanto

[KWAHN-too]

how much

Question word for amount or price.

Example

Quanto é o bilhete?

How much is the ticket?

tempo

[TEM-poo]

time

Refers to the other person's availability or minutes spent with you.

Example

Agradeci o «tempo» que dedicou à nossa conversa.

I thanked the “time” that you dedicated to our conversation.

demora

[deh-MOH-rah]

it takes

From 'demorar': to take (time), to last.

Example

A viagem demora uma hora.

The trip takes one hour.

mais ou menos?

mysh oh MEH-noosh

more or less?

Added at the end to ask for an approximate answer. Raise your intonation slightly on 'menos' because it's a question.

Example

São duas horas, mais ou menos?

It's about two hours, more or less?

Words in this phrase

mais

[mysh]

Used to ask for additional information or greater quantity.

Example

Quero saber mais antes de me candidatar.

I want to know more before applying.

[oh]

Used to present an alternative in a question or comparison.

Example

No networking, posso perguntar se o ambiente é formal ou descontraído.

In networking, I can ask whether the atmosphere is formal or relaxed.

menos

[MEH-noosh]

less

Opposite of 'mais'.

Example

Quero menos açúcar.

I want less sugar.

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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