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How to Say ‘If there's any delay’ in Portuguese

Se houver algum atraso

suh oh-VEHR al-GOONG ah-TRAH-zoo

[suh oh-VEHR al-GOONG ah-TRAH-zoo]

💬 Usage Tip: After se about a possible future event, há changes to houver. You'll see it on signs and in messages, e.g. se houver dúvidas "if there are any questions".

Phrase Breakdown

Se houver

suh oh-VEHR

If there is

'Houver' is the future subjunctive of 'haver'. The 'h' is silent: 'se oh-VER'.

Example

Se houver tempo, passo lá.

If there's time, I'll drop by.

Words in this phrase

[suh]

A conjunction used to introduce a condition politely.

Example

Comecei com «Se» for possível para fazer um pedido com cuidado.

I started with “If” possible to make a request carefully.

houver

[oh-VEHR]

there is (if)

Future subjunctive of 'haver', used after 'se'.

Example

Se houver mesa, ficamos.

If there's a table, we'll stay.

algum atraso

al-GOONG ah-TRAH-zoo

any delay

Link 'algum' into 'atraso': 'al-goong a-TRA-zoo'. The 's' between vowels sounds like 'z'.

Example

Houve algum atraso?

Was there any delay?

Words in this phrase

algum

[al-GOONG]

any

Masculine form meaning 'some/any'.

Example

Tem algum lugar livre?

Do you have any free seat?

atraso

[ah-TRAH-zoo]

delay / lateness

Masculine noun meaning a delay or being late.

Example

O comboio tem um atraso.

The train has a delay.

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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