How to Say ‘Would the service already be running at that time?’ in Portuguese
Será que o serviço já está a funcionar a essa hora?
seh-RAH kuh oo ser-VEE-soo zhah esh-TAH ah foon-syoo-NAR ah EH-sah OH-rah
[seh-RAH kuh oo ser-VEE-soo zhah esh-TAH ah foon-syoo-NAR ah EH-sah OH-rah]
Phrase Breakdown
Será que o serviço
seh-RAH kuh oo ser-VEE-soo
I wonder if the service
'Será que' introduces a polite, wondering question, like 'I wonder whether...'.
Será que o café está aberto?
I wonder if the café is open?
Words in this phrase
Será
[seh-RAH]
I wonder (will it be)
Future of 'ser'; with 'que' it forms a polite question: 'I wonder if...'.
Será que vai chover?
I wonder if it will rain?
que
[kuh]
that
Often used in expressions like claro que sim to reinforce the statement.
Acho que podemos colaborar bem.
I think that we can collaborate well.
o
[oo]
the (masculine singular)
Article used before a masculine singular noun; often unstressed in speech.
O bilhete é mais barato se comprares com antecedência.
The ticket is cheaper if you buy in advance.
serviço
[ser-VEE-soo]
service
A facility offered to customers, like valet parking.
O serviço de estacionamento é grátis.
The parking service is free.
já está a funcionar
zhah esh-TAH ah foon-syoo-NAR
is already working
'Estar a' + infinitive shows an ongoing action. 'Já' means 'already'.
A loja já está a funcionar.
The shop is already open for business.
Words in this phrase
já
[zhah]
already
Prior to a specified or implied time.
Já comi meu almoço.
I have already eaten my lunch.
está
[esh-TAH]
is
3rd person singular of “estar” (“is/are”), used for temporary states/conditions (e.g., whether a seat is free).
Este lugar está livre agora.
This seat is free now.
a
[ah]
(progressive marker)
In European Portuguese, 'estar a + infinitive' means doing something right now.
Estou a comer.
I am eating.
funcionar
[foon-syoo-NAR]
to work, to operate
Verb for something running or functioning.
O elevador não está a funcionar.
The lift isn't working.
a essa hora?
ah EH-sah OH-rah
at that time?
'A essa hora' means 'at that hour'. The 'h' in 'hora' is silent.
Ainda trabalhas a essa hora?
Are you still working at that time?
Words in this phrase
a
[ah]
at
Preposition used here for 'at' a time.
Chego a essa hora.
I arrive at that time.
essa
[EH-sah]
that
"Essa" is a feminine demonstrative meaning that, referring to something near the listener or already mentioned.
Essa oportunidade parece interessante para a tua carreira.
That opportunity seems interesting for your career.
hora
[OH-rah]
time; hour
A point in time or a 60-minute period.
A que hora abre?
What time does it open?
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