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How to Say ‘Thanks, but I'm still learning.’ in Portuguese

Obrigado, mas ainda estou a aprender.

oh-bree-GAH-doo mas ah-EEN-dah eesh-TOH ah ah-preh-DEHR

[oh-bree-GAH-doo mas ah-EEN-dah eesh-TOH ah ah-preh-DEHR]

Phrase Breakdown

Obrigado,

oh-bree-GAH-doo

Thank you,

Men say 'obrigado' and women say 'obrigada'. Say 'oh-bree-GAH-doo'.

Example

Obrigado pela ajuda.

Thanks for the help.

Words in this phrase

Obrigado

[oh-bree-GAH-doo]

thank you

Common way to express thanks; traditionally used by a male speaker.

Example

Digo Obrigado depois de receber uma dica útil.

I say Obrigado after receiving a useful tip.

mas ainda estou

mas ah-EEN-dah eesh-TOH

but I'm still

'Mas' means 'but'. Its 's' becomes a 'z' sound before a vowel: 'maz ainda'.

Example

Mas ainda estou aqui.

But I'm still here.

Words in this phrase

mas

[mas]

But

Used to introduce something contrasting.

Example

Eu gostaria de ir, mas não posso.

I would like to go, but I can't.

ainda

[ah-EEN-dah]

still

Indicates something continues to be true.

Example

Ele ainda está aqui.

He is still here.

estou

[eesh-TOH]

I am

First-person singular of "estar," used for actions happening now.

Example

Estou preparado para novas conversas profissionais.

I am prepared for new professional conversations.

a aprender.

ah ah-preh-DEHR

learning.

This is the continuous form 'estar a' + infinitive.

Example

Estou a aprender.

I'm learning.

Words in this phrase

[ah]

(progressive marker)

In European Portuguese, 'estar a + infinitive' means doing something right now.

Example

Estou a comer.

I am eating.

aprender

[ah-preh-DEHR]

to learn

Infinitive verb; after 'estar a' it shows an ongoing action.

Example

Gosto de aprender línguas.

I like learning languages.

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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