🤔❓

How to Say ‘If I'm not mistaken’ in Portuguese

Se não me engano

suh NOWN mee ehn-GAH-noo

[suh NOWN mee ehn-GAH-noo]

💬 Usage Tip: me sits before engano here because não pulls it forward. Without não it would go after the verb: engano-me "I'm mistaken".

Phrase Breakdown

Se não

suh NOWN

If not

'Se' is a very short, reduced sound. 'Não' is nasal. Say them together as one unit: 'se-NÃO'.

Example

Se não chover, vamos.

If it doesn't rain, we'll go.

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.

não

[NOWN]

not

Used to negate the meaning of a word or group of words.

Example

Não quero comer agora.

I don't want to eat now.

me engano

mee ehn-GAH-noo

I'm mistaken

'Enganar-se' means to be mistaken. Link 'me' to 'engano': 'meen-GA-no'. The first 'en' is nasal.

Example

Às vezes engano-me nas horas.

Sometimes I get the times wrong.

Words in this phrase

[mee]

Used by a speaker to refer to themselves.

Example

Ele me ajudou.

He helped me.

engano

[ehn-GAH-noo]

I am mistaken

From 'enganar-se', to be wrong; 'se não me engano' means 'if I'm not mistaken'.

Example

Acho que me engano sempre no caminho.

I think I always get the way wrong.

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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