🤷🚫

How to Say ‘Maybe better not’ in Portuguese

Se calhar é melhor não

suh kah-LYAHR eh meh-LYOR nowng

[suh kah-LYAHR eh meh-LYOR nowng]

💬 Usage Tip: Se calhar is literally "if it happens", but in Portugal it's the everyday word for "maybe". You'll hear it far more than talvez.

Phrase Breakdown

Se calhar

suh kah-LYAHR

Maybe

A very common European Portuguese word for 'perhaps'. Say 's(e) ka-LYAR'.

Example

Se calhar chove amanhã.

Maybe it'll rain tomorrow.

Words in this phrase

[suh]

maybe (with 'calhar')

Part of the expression 'se calhar', meaning 'maybe' or 'perhaps'.

Example

Se calhar chove amanhã.

Maybe it will rain tomorrow.

calhar

[kah-LYAHR]

to happen (by chance)

Verb meaning to happen by chance; in 'se calhar' it means 'perhaps'.

Example

Se calhar ele não vem.

Maybe he isn't coming.

é melhor não

eh meh-LYOR nowng

it's better not to

Say 'E m(e)-LYOR nãw', with nasal 'não'.

Example

É melhor não dizer nada.

It's better not to say anything.

Words in this phrase

[eh]

Form of the verb 'ser' used to identify or state something.

Example

É meu interesse conhecer melhor a empresa.

It is my interest to get to know the company better.

melhor

[meh-LYOR]

better

Adverb used to show improved understanding or performance.

Example

Depois da conversa, compreendo melhor o mercado.

After the conversation, I understand the market better.

não

[nowng]

no / not

A negative word used to deny or negate something.

Example

Não temos valet, mas há estacionamento perto.

We do not have valet, but there is parking nearby.

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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