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How to Say ‘Is it best to arrive a bit early?’ in Portuguese

Convém chegar com alguma antecedência?

kohn-VAYNG sheh-GAR kohng ahl-GOO-muh un-teh-seh-DEN-syuh

[kohn-VAYNG sheh-GAR kohng ahl-GOO-muh un-teh-seh-DEN-syuh]

Phrase Breakdown

Convém chegar

kohn-VAYNG sheh-GAR

Is it advisable to arrive

'Convém' means 'it's advisable' or 'it's a good idea'. It is followed directly by an infinitive. The final '-ém' is nasal, a bit like 'ãi'.

Example

Convém chegar cedo ao aeroporto.

It's advisable to arrive early at the airport.

Words in this phrase

Convém

[kohn-VAYNG]

is it advisable

From 'convir'; means it is a good idea or advisable.

Example

Convém reservar cedo.

It's advisable to book early.

chegar

[sheh-GAR]

to arrive

Infinitive of “chegar” (to arrive/get to a place).

Example

Quero Chegar cedo à estação para não perder o comboio.

I want to arrive early at the station so I don’t miss the train.

com alguma antecedência?

kohng ahl-GOO-muh un-teh-seh-DEN-syuh

a little in advance?

This expresses time beforehand. Let your voice rise at the end, because it's a question.

Example

Devo marcar com alguma antecedência?

Should I book a little in advance?

Words in this phrase

com

[kohng]

with

Preposition used to connect an idea to a quality, person, or thing.

Example

Com experiência internacional, o candidato destaca-se mais.

With international experience, the candidate stands out more.

alguma

[ahl-GOO-muh]

any / some

Feminine form of 'algum', used before feminine nouns; in questions it means 'any'.

Example

Tem alguma pergunta?

Do you have any question?

antecedência

[un-teh-seh-DEN-syuh]

advance / notice

Time beforehand; 'com antecedência' means in advance or early.

Example

Ligue com antecedência.

Call in advance.

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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