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How to Say ‘A little bit early’ in Portuguese

Um bocadinho cedo

oong boo-kah-DEE-nyoo SEH-doo

[oong boo-kah-DEE-nyoo SEH-doo]

💬 Usage Tip: Bocadinho is bocado "bit" with the -inho ending, which makes things smaller or softer. Portuguese speakers use it constantly to sound gentle, e.g. um minutinho "just a minute".

Phrase Breakdown

[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.

bocadinho

[boo-kah-DEE-nyoo]

a little bit

Diminutive of 'bocado' (a bit); with 'um' it means 'a little bit', softening a request.

Example

Estou um bocadinho cansado.

I'm a little bit tired.

cedo

[SEH-doo]

early

Adverb meaning “early”; describes arriving/leaving before the expected time.

Example

É melhor Chegar cedo para encontrar o teu lugar no Intercidades.

It’s better to arrive early to find your seat on the Intercidades.

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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