💧☕➕

How to Say ‘Only water and coffee are extra.’ in Portuguese

Só a água e os cafés é que são à parte.

soh ah AH-gwah ee oosh kuh-FESH eh keh sowng ah PAR-te

[soh ah AH-gwah ee oosh kuh-FESH eh keh sowng ah PAR-te]

💬 Usage Tip: é que slipped in after the subject adds emphasis, like "it's ... that": Só eu é que sei "Only I know". Here it stresses that only water and coffee are extra.

Phrase Breakdown

Só a água

soh ah AH-gwah

Only the water

'Só' means 'only'. 'Só' and 'a' blend smoothly into 'água' (AH-gwuh).

Example

Só a água, obrigado.

Just the water, thank you.

Words in this phrase

Só

[soh]

only; just

“só” indicates exclusivity: “only one-way” (not round trip).

Example

Só ida, por favor.

One-way only, please.

[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.

água

[AH-gwah]

water

Water; in restaurants you may be asked 'com gás' (sparkling) or 'sem gás' (still).

Example

Uma garrafa de água, por favor.

A bottle of water, please.

e os cafés

ee oosh kuh-FESH

and the coffees

'e os' links into one sound, like 'ee-oosh'. The final 's' in 'cafés' sounds like 'sh'.

Example

O pão e os cafés chegaram.

The bread and the coffees arrived.

Words in this phrase

[ee]

and

A simple connector joining two qualities or ideas.

Example

Procuro um ambiente aberto e humano.

I am looking for an open and human environment.

[oosh]

the

Masculine plural definite article, used before masculine plural nouns.

Example

Os gestores falaram sobre os valores da empresa.

The managers talked about the company's values.

cafés

[kuh-FESH]

coffees

Plural of 'café'; in Portugal usually espressos.

Example

Queremos três cafés, por favor.

We want three coffees, please.

é que são à parte.

eh keh sowng ah PAR-te

are charged separately.

'é que' adds emphasis. 'À parte' means 'separately' or 'extra'. 'São' has a nasal 'ão' sound.

Example

As bebidas é que são à parte.

It's the drinks that are extra.

Words in this phrase

[eh]

(emphasis: it is)

Part of the emphatic structure 'é que', highlighting what comes before.

Example

Eu é que pago.

I'm the one who pays.

que

[keh]

(emphasis: that)

Second part of 'é que', used to stress a phrase.

Example

Hoje é que vamos.

Today is when we go.

são

[sowng]

are

Third person plural of 'ser', to be.

Example

Eles são portugueses.

They are Portuguese.

[ah]

(in 'à parte') separately

Contraction of 'a' + 'a'; in 'à parte' it forms 'separately'.

Example

O pão paga-se à parte.

Bread is paid separately.

parte

[PAR-te]

part / aside

Feminine noun; 'à parte' means extra or charged separately.

Example

As bebidas são à parte.

Drinks are extra.

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