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How to Say ‘I'd like a big cup’ in Portuguese

Eu gostava de uma chávena grande

eh-ooh goosh-TAH-vuh duh OO-muh SHAH-veh-nah GRAHN-duh

[eh-ooh goosh-TAH-vuh duh OO-muh SHAH-veh-nah GRAHN-duh]

💬 Usage Tip: Gostar always needs de before the thing you like, so gostava de is a polite "I'd like". Another example: gostava de um chá "I'd like a tea".

Phrase Breakdown

Eu gostava

eh-ooh goosh-TAH-vuh

I would like

'Gostava' is a polite, very Portuguese way to say 'I would like'. Stress 'TA': 'goosh-TAH-vuh'.

Example

Eu gostava de ir à praia.

I would like to go to the beach.

Words in this phrase

[eh-ooh]

Pronoun referring to oneself.

Example

Eu estou aqui.

I am here.

gostava

[goosh-TAH-vuh]

would like

Polite imperfect form of gostar, often used to sound softer and more courteous when asking for information.

Example

Eu gostava de confirmar a reserva, e “Gostava” soa muito educado.

I would like to confirm the reservation, and “Gostava” sounds very polite.

de uma chávena grande

duh OO-muh SHAH-veh-nah GRAHN-duh

a big cup

'Chávena' is the European Portuguese word for 'cup'. Stress the first syllable: 'SHAH-vuh-nuh'. 'De uma' often blends into 'dooma'.

Example

Preciso de uma chávena limpa.

I need a clean cup.

Words in this phrase

[duh]

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

Example

Falámos de carreira durante o intervalo.

We talked about career matters during the break.

uma

[OO-muh]

Feminine singular indefinite article before 'família'.

Example

Uma empresa pode ter uma cultura muito acolhedora.

A company can have a very welcoming culture.

chávena

[SHAH-veh-nah]

cup

European Portuguese word for a cup, especially for tea or coffee.

Example

Uma chávena de chá, por favor.

A cup of tea, please.

grande

[GRAHN-duh]

large / big

Used for sizes, amounts, or physical dimensions.

Example

Na cafetaria, escolho um café "Grande".

At the café, I choose a "Large" coffee.

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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