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How to Say ‘The doctor forbade him alcohol’ in Portuguese

O médico proibiu-lhe o álcool

oo MEH-dee-ko proo-ee-BEE-ooh-lyeh oo AHL-kool

[oo MEH-dee-ko proo-ee-BEE-ooh-lyeh oo AHL-kool]

💬 Usage Tip: lhe means "to him" or "to her" and attaches after the verb with a hyphen. Same pattern: deu-lhe "gave him".

Phrase Breakdown

O médico

oo MEH-dee-ko

The doctor

The article 'o' (sounds like 'u') stays with its noun. Stress the first syllable: 'u MÉ-di-ku'.

Example

O médico chega às dez.

The doctor arrives at ten.

Words in this phrase

[oo]

the (masculine singular)

Article used before a masculine singular noun; often unstressed in speech.

Example

O bilhete é mais barato se comprares com antecedência.

The ticket is cheaper if you buy in advance.

médico

[MEH-dee-ko]

doctor

A person qualified to treat people who are ill.

Example

Preciso de um médico de confiança.

I need a reliable doctor.

proibiu-lhe o álcool

proo-ee-BEE-ooh-lyeh oo AHL-kool

forbade him alcohol

'Proibiu' is the past tense of 'proibir' (to forbid). '-lhe' means 'to him/her' and sounds like 'lyuh'. 'Álcool' sounds like 'ÁL-ku-ol'.

Example

A mãe proibiu-lhe o telemóvel.

His mother took away his phone.

Words in this phrase

proibiu-lhe

[proo-ee-BEE-ooh-lyeh]

forbade him

Past of 'proibir' with '-lhe' (to him/her) attached.

Example

A mãe proibiu-lhe os doces.

His mother forbade him sweets.

[oo]

the (masculine singular)

Article used before a masculine singular noun; often unstressed in speech.

Example

O bilhete é mais barato se comprares com antecedência.

The ticket is cheaper if you buy in advance.

álcool

[AHL-kool]

alcohol

Masculine noun for alcoholic drinks.

Example

Não bebo álcool.

I don't drink alcohol.

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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