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How to Say ‘I'd like to speak with Ms. Ana Costa, please.’ in Portuguese

Queria falar com a Dra. Ana Costa, por favor.

kuh-REE-uh fah-LAR kohng uh doh-TOH-rah AH-nah KOHSH-tah poor fah-VOR

[kuh-REE-uh fah-LAR kohng uh doh-TOH-rah AH-nah KOHSH-tah poor fah-VOR]

🇵🇹 In Portugal: In Portugal, Dra. (or Dr. for a man) is used for anyone with a university degree, not just medical doctors. Using it on the phone sounds respectful and normal.

Phrase Breakdown

Queria falar

kuh-REE-uh fah-LAR

I would like to speak

This is a polite request using the imperfect tense. Say 'kree-uh fuh-LAR'.

Example

Queria falar consigo.

I'd like to speak with you.

Words in this phrase

Queria

[kuh-REE-uh]

I would like

A polite way to introduce what you want to say.

Example

Na frase «Queria» agradecer, o tom fica mais suave e profissional.

In the phrase “I would like” to thank, the tone becomes softer and more professional.

falar

[fah-LAR]

to speak

Infinitive verb naming the action of speaking.

Example

No follow-up, «falar» consigo mostra contacto direto e pessoal.

In the follow-up, “to speak” with you shows direct and personal contact.

com a Dra. Ana Costa,

kohng uh doh-TOH-rah AH-nah KOHSH-tah

with Dr. Ana Costa,

Read 'Dra.' as 'Doutora'. Link 'com a' smoothly. The 'st' in 'Costa' sounds like 'sht'.

Example

Falei com a Dra. Costa ontem.

I spoke with Dr. Costa yesterday.

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.

[uh]

the

Feminine singular definite article, meaning 'the'.

Example

A empresa parece aberta a novas ideias.

The company seems open to new ideas.

Dra

[doh-TOH-rah]

Dr. (female)

Abbreviation of 'doutora', a title used in Portugal for women with a university degree.

Example

A Dra. Sofia chega às dez.

Dr. Sofia arrives at ten.

Ana

[AH-nah]

Ana

A common Portuguese female first name.

Example

A Ana é a minha tia.

Ana is my aunt.

Costa

[KOHSH-tah]

Costa (surname)

A common Portuguese surname; also means 'coast'.

Example

O senhor Costa não está.

Mr. Costa isn't in.

por favor.

poor fah-VOR

please.

This is the standard polite word. Say 'poor fuh-VOR'. The unstressed 'a' is weak.

Example

Um café, por favor.

A coffee, please.

Words in this phrase

por

[poor]

for

Preposition indicating what something is in exchange for.

Example

Paguei dez euros por isto.

I paid ten euros for this.

favor

[fah-VOR]

please (part of 'por favor')

Literally 'favour'; with 'por' it means 'please'.

Example

Ajude-me, por favor.

Help me, please.

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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