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How to Say ‘Can you give back the cat?’ in Portuguese

Pode devolver o gato?

POH-dih deh-vol-VEHR oo GAH-too

[POH-dih deh-vol-VEHR oo GAH-too]

💬 Usage Tip: pode plus a verb in its basic form makes a polite request: pode devolver. Swap in another verb, as in pode repetir? "can you repeat?".

Phrase Breakdown

Pode devolver

POH-dih deh-vol-VEHR

Can you give back

'Pode' is the polite form of 'can you'. In 'devolver' the first 'e' is almost swallowed, so it sounds like 'd'vol-VEHR'.

Example

Pode devolver o livro?

Can you give back the book?

Words in this phrase

Pode

[POH-dih]

can you

A polite way to ask if someone is able or willing to do something.

Example

Pode ajudar-me com a mala, por favor?

Can you help me with the suitcase, please?

devolver

[deh-vol-VEHR]

to give back

Verb meaning to return something to its owner.

Example

Tenho de devolver o livro.

I have to give back the book.

o gato?

oo GAH-too

the cat?

The article 'o' plus 'gato' (cat). The final 'o' sounds like a short 'u'. Raise your voice at the end because it is a question.

Example

Onde está o gato?

Where is the cat?

Words in this phrase

[oo]

the (masculine singular)

Article used before a masculine singular noun; often unstressed in speech.

Example

O bilhete é mais barato se comprares com antecedência.

The ticket is cheaper if you buy in advance.

gato

[GAH-too]

cat

Masculine noun for the animal cat.

Example

O meu gato é preto.

My cat is black.

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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