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How to Say ‘No problem, I just got here.’ in Portuguese

Não faz mal, acabei de chegar.

NOWN fahz mahl a-ka-BAY deh shuh-GAR

[NOWN fahz mahl a-ka-BAY deh shuh-GAR]

💬 Usage Tip: acabei de + a verb means "I just did" something: acabei de comer "I just ate". It's how Portuguese says "just" for something that only now happened.

Phrase Breakdown

Não faz mal,

NOWN fahz mahl

It's no problem,

A reassuring reply to an apology. Pause briefly at the comma.

Example

Não faz mal, acontece.

It's no problem, it happens.

Words in this phrase

Não

[NOWN]

not

Used to negate the meaning of a word or group of words.

Example

Não quero comer agora.

I don't want to eat now.

faz

[fahz]

makes

Causes (something) to happen or be brought about.

Example

O filme me faz chorar.

The movie makes me cry.

mal

[mahl]

harm, wrong

A noun meaning harm or something bad. With 'não faz' it means 'it doesn't matter' or 'no problem'.

Example

Não faz mal, eu espero.

It's fine, I'll wait.

acabei de chegar.

a-ka-BAY deh shuh-GAR

I've just arrived.

'Acabar de' + infinitive means 'to have just done'. Stress falls on '-bei' and '-gar'.

Example

Acabei de chegar a casa.

I've just got home.

Words in this phrase

acabei

[a-ka-BAY]

I just (did)

Past tense of 'acabar' (to finish). Followed by 'de' plus a verb, it means 'I have just done something'.

Example

Acabei de jantar.

I've just had dinner.

[deh]

(no direct translation)

Preposition linking 'importar-se' to the following verb.

Example

Importa-se de esperar?

Do you mind waiting?

chegar

[shuh-GAR]

to arrive

The basic form of the verb for arriving somewhere.

Example

Vou chegar às oito.

I'll arrive at eight.

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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