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How to Say ‘But the salary is a bit low.’ in Portuguese

Mas o salário é um pouco baixo.

mas oo sah-LAH-ryoo eh oong POH-koo BYE-shoo

[mas oo sah-LAH-ryoo eh oong POH-koo BYE-shoo]

🇵🇹 In Portugal: Opening with praise, then softening the complaint with um pouco is how salary pushback usually sounds in Portugal. Blunt demands tend to land badly.

Phrase Breakdown

Mas o salário

mas oo sah-LAH-ryoo

But the salary

'Mas o' links together as 'ma-zu'. The stress in 'salário' falls on 'LA': 'sa-LA-riu'.

Example

Mas o salário é bom.

But the salary is good.

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.

[oo]

the

A masculine singular definite article used before nouns.

Example

O prazer de participar foi grande.

The pleasure of taking part was great.

salário

[sah-LAH-ryoo]

salary

Regular pay received for a job.

Example

O salário é pago no fim do mês.

The salary is paid at the end of the month.

é um pouco baixo.

eh oong POH-koo BYE-shoo

is a bit low.

'é' (is) is an open 'eh' sound, and it runs straight into 'um': 'é-um'. End with a falling tone.

Example

O volume é um pouco baixo.

The volume is a bit low.

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.

[oong]

An indefinite article used before a masculine singular noun.

Example

Em «um» prazer, o artigo introduz a expressão educada.

In “a” pleasure, the article introduces the polite expression.

pouco

[POH-koo]

little

A small amount or degree.

Example

Espere um pouco para ver o resultado.

Wait a little to see the result.

baixo

[BYE-shoo]

low

Adjective meaning small in amount or height.

Example

O preço é baixo.

The price is low.

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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