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How to Say ‘Yes, but the waiting list is huge.’ in Portuguese

Pois, mas a lista de espera é enorme.

POYSH mas ah LEESH-tah duh shPEH-rah eh ee-NOHR-muh

[POYSH mas ah LEESH-tah duh shPEH-rah eh ee-NOHR-muh]

Phrase Breakdown

Pois, mas

POYSH mas

Yes, but

'Pois' is a very Portuguese way to agree ('right / indeed'). Say 'poysh, mash'.

Example

Pois, mas não tenho tempo.

Right, but I don't have time.

Words in this phrase

Pois

[POYSH]

indeed / yes

A conversational word used to agree with what someone has just said.

Example

Pois, foi um grande susto.

Indeed, it was a big scare.

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.

a lista de espera

ah LEESH-tah duh shPEH-rah

the waiting list

Say a LEESH-ta desh-PE-ra, linking the words smoothly.

Example

Estou na lista de espera.

I'm on the waiting list.

Words in this phrase

a

[ah]

the (feminine singular)

Same article "a" used before a feminine noun; often unstressed in speech.

Example

A estação é ali à direita.

The station is right there on the right.

lista

[LEESH-tah]

list

A series of names or items.

Example

Fiz uma lista de compras.

I made a shopping list.

de

[duh]

of

A preposition meaning "of" or "for," depending on context.

Example

Falámos de carreira durante o intervalo.

We talked about career matters during the break.

espera

[shPEH-rah]

waiting

Noun meaning wait; 'lista de espera' is a waiting list.

Example

A espera foi longa.

The wait was long.

é enorme.

eh ee-NOHR-muh

is huge.

'É' is an open 'eh'. 'Enorme' is said ee-NOR-me, with a weak final 'e'.

Example

A casa é enorme.

The house is huge.

Words in this phrase

é

[eh]

is

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.

enorme

[ee-NOHR-muh]

huge

Very big.

Example

A casa é enorme.

The house is huge.

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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