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How to Say ‘Can I ask a question?’ in Portuguese

Posso fazer uma pergunta?

POH-soo fah-ZEHR OO-muh pehr-GOON-tah

[POH-soo fah-ZEHR OO-muh pehr-GOON-tah]

💬 Usage Tip: Posso plus an action is a handy way to ask permission. Swap in a different action: Posso entrar? "Can I come in?", Posso tirar uma foto? "Can I take a photo?"

Phrase Breakdown

Posso fazer

POH-soo fah-ZEHR

Can I ask / make

'Posso' (I can) plus the infinitive 'fazer' (to do/make). Say 'POH-soo fuh-ZEHR'. The final 'o' sounds like 'oo', and the first 'a' in 'fazer' is reduced.

Example

Posso fazer isso amanhã.

I can do that tomorrow.

Words in this phrase

Posso

[POH-soo]

can I

First person of 'poder'; used to ask permission.

Example

Posso sentar-me aqui?

Can I sit here?

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.

uma pergunta?

OO-muh pehr-GOON-tah

a question?

'Uma' is the feminine 'a'. Say 'OO-muh pehr-GOON-tuh' and let your voice rise at the end for the question.

Example

Tenho uma pergunta.

I have a question.

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.

pergunta

[pehr-GOON-tah]

question

Feminine noun; 'fazer uma pergunta' means to ask a question.

Example

Tenho uma pergunta sobre o salário.

I have a question about the salary.

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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