📅🖊️

How to Say ‘When you booked’ in Portuguese

Ao fazer a reserva

OW fah-ZEHR ah reh-ZEHR-vah

[OW fah-ZEHR ah reh-ZEHR-vah]

💬 Usage Tip: ao + a verb means "when" or "on" doing something. Swap in other verbs: ao chegar "on arriving", ao sair "when leaving".

Phrase Breakdown

Ao fazer

OW fah-ZEHR

When making / upon making

'Ao' plus an infinitive means 'when/upon doing'. 'Ao' sounds like 'ow'.

Example

Ao fazer o pagamento, recebe um email.

When making the payment, you receive an email.

Words in this phrase

[OW]

when / upon

'Ao' + infinitive means when doing something.

Example

Ao chegar, ligue-me.

When you arrive, call me.

fazer

[fah-ZEHR]

to make

To make; 'fazer uma reserva' means to make a booking.

Example

Quero fazer uma reserva para hoje.

I want to make a reservation for today.

a reserva

ah reh-ZEHR-vah

the reservation

The article 'a' and its noun said together. The 's' between vowels sounds like 'z'.

Example

A reserva está confirmada.

The reservation is confirmed.

Words in this phrase

[ah]

the (feminine singular)

Same article "a" used before a feminine noun; often unstressed in speech.

Example

A estação é ali à direita.

The station is right there on the right.

reserva

[reh-ZEHR-vah]

reservation

A booking of a table, room or service.

Example

A reserva é para as nove.

The reservation is for nine.

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.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Moved to Lisbon with zero Portuguese and honestly thought I’d be pointing at menus forever. Three weeks in and I’m having real conversations with my landlord.”

Priya N., 35, Freelance Designer

“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”

Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager

“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer