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How to Say ‘I'd like to surprise’ in Portuguese

Gostava de fazer uma surpresa

goosh-TAH-vuh duh fa-ZEHR OO-muh soor-PREH-zah

[goosh-TAH-vuh duh fa-ZEHR OO-muh soor-PREH-zah]

💬 Usage Tip: In Portugal, gostava de is the usual polite "I'd like to", used more than gostaria de. Always keep the de before the next verb: gostava de reservar "I'd like to book".

Phrase Breakdown

Gostava de fazer

goosh-TAH-vuh duh fa-ZEHR

I would like to do / make

In Portugal, 'gostava' is the polite 'I would like'. Say 'goosh-TAH-vuh d' fuh-ZEHR'.

Example

Gostava de fazer uma pergunta.

I would like to ask a question.

Words in this phrase

Gostava

[goosh-TAH-vuh]

I would like

Polite conditional form of gostar, used to express a wish or preference in a soft, professional way.

Example

Gostava de falar consigo outra vez.

I would like to speak with you again.

[duh]

A preposition meaning "of" or "for," depending on context.

Example

Falámos de carreira durante o intervalo.

We talked about career matters during the break.

fazer

[fa-ZEHR]

to do

To perform an action or task.

Example

Preciso fazer o trabalho.

I need to do the work.

uma surpresa

OO-muh soor-PREH-zah

a surprise

'Surpresa' is 'soor-PREH-zuh'. 'Fazer uma surpresa' means to arrange a surprise.

Example

Preparámos uma surpresa.

We prepared a surprise.

Words in this phrase

uma

[OO-muh]

Feminine singular indefinite article before 'família'.

Example

Uma empresa pode ter uma cultura muito acolhedora.

A company can have a very welcoming culture.

surpresa

[soor-PREH-zah]

surprise

Something unexpected prepared for someone.

Example

A festa foi uma surpresa.

The party was a surprise.

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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