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How to Say ‘How can I help you?’ in Portuguese

Em que posso ajudar?

ehm keh POH-soo uh-zhoo-DAR

[ehm keh POH-soo uh-zhoo-DAR]

💬 Usage Tip: Word for word this is "in what can I help?" Portuguese uses em que where English says "how" in this offer of help.

🇵🇹 In Portugal: This is the standard way a receptionist answers a business line, often right after the company name.

Phrase Breakdown

Em que posso

ehm keh POH-soo

How can I / In what can I

'Em que' means 'in what', and 'posso' is 'I can'. 'Em' is nasal, said like 'ãi', and 'que' is said like 'kuh'.

Example

Em que posso ser útil?

How can I be useful?

Words in this phrase

[ehm]

Used to indicate inclusion within space or limits.

Example

Está em casa.

It's in the house.

que

[keh]

what

Used with 'o' to form 'what' in questions.

Example

O que queres comer?

What do you want to eat?

posso

[POH-soo]

can I

First person of 'poder'; used to ask permission.

Example

Posso sentar-me aqui?

Can I sit here?

ajudar?

uh-zhoo-DAR

help?

This is the infinitive 'to help'. The stress falls on the last syllable, '-dar', and the first 'a' is very weak.

Example

Posso ajudar?

Can I help?

Words in this phrase

ajudar

[uh-zhoo-DAR]

to help

Infinitive verb meaning 'to help'.

Example

É bom ver vontade de ajudar durante a integração.

It is good to see willingness to help during onboarding.

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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