How to Say ‘I'd like a coffee, but a bit bigger than the usual.’ in Portuguese
Queria um café, mas um bocadinho maior do que o normal.
kuh-REE-uh oong kah-FEH mas oong boo-kah-DEE-nyoo my-OR doo keh oo Noh-mahl
[kuh-REE-uh oong kah-FEH mas oong boo-kah-DEE-nyoo my-OR doo keh oo Noh-mahl]
Phrase Breakdown
Queria um café,
kuh-REE-uh oong kah-FEH
I would like a coffee,
A polite way to order. Pause briefly at the comma.
Queria um café e um pastel de nata.
I'd like a coffee and a custard tart.
Words in this phrase
Queria
[kuh-REE-uh]
I would like
A polite way to introduce what you want to say.
Na frase «Queria» agradecer, o tom fica mais suave e profissional.
In the phrase “I would like” to thank, the tone becomes softer and more professional.
um
[oong]
a
An indefinite article used before a masculine singular noun.
Em «um» prazer, o artigo introduz a expressão educada.
In “a” pleasure, the article introduces the polite expression.
café
[kah-FEH]
coffee
Literally coffee; in networking contexts, it often means an informal meeting.
Aceitava um café para falarmos melhor.
I would accept a coffee to talk more properly.
mas um bocadinho maior
mas oong boo-kah-DEE-nyoo my-OR
but a little bit bigger
'Mas' means 'but'. In Portugal the 's' before a vowel sounds like 'z': 'mah-zung'.
É bom, mas um bocadinho caro.
It's good, but a little bit expensive.
Words in this phrase
mas
[mas]
But
Used to introduce something contrasting.
Eu gostaria de ir, mas não posso.
I would like to go, but I can't.
um
[oong]
a
An indefinite article used before a masculine singular noun.
Em «um» prazer, o artigo introduz a expressão educada.
In “a” pleasure, the article introduces the polite expression.
bocadinho
[boo-kah-DEE-nyoo]
a little bit
Diminutive of 'bocado' (a bit); with 'um' it means 'a little bit', softening a request.
Estou um bocadinho cansado.
I'm a little bit tired.
maior
[my-OR]
bigger
Comparative of 'grande': bigger, larger.
Esta chávena é maior.
This cup is bigger.
do que o normal.
doo keh oo Noh-mahl
than usual.
A comparison ending. Run 'do que o' together quickly: 'doo kee-oo nor-MAHL'.
Cheguei mais cedo do que o normal.
I arrived earlier than usual.
Words in this phrase
do
[doo]
than
Used in comparisons.
Ela é mais alta do que eu.
She is taller than I am.
que
[keh]
than
Used after 'do' in comparisons ('do que' = than).
É mais forte do que o outro.
It's stronger than the other one.
o
[oo]
the
A masculine singular definite article used before nouns.
O prazer de participar foi grande.
The pleasure of taking part was great.
normal
[Noh-mahl]
Normal
Refers to regular or cow's milk.
Espero que o leite usado seja normal.
I hope the milk used is regular.
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