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How to Say ‘Yes, we've always helped the poor and the sick.’ in Portuguese

Sim, sempre ajudámos os pobres e os doentes.

seeng SEHNG-pruh ah-zhoo-DAH-moosh oosh POH-brees ee oosh doo-EN-tesh

[seeng SEHNG-pruh ah-zhoo-DAH-moosh oosh POH-brees ee oosh doo-EN-tesh]

Phrase Breakdown

Sim, sempre ajudámos

seeng SEHNG-pruh ah-zhoo-DAH-moosh

Yes, we have always helped

'Sim' is nasal, like 'sĩ'. 'Ajudámos' is the European Portuguese past tense, with the accent on 'DÁ': 'a-ju-DA-mush'.

Example

Sim, sempre ajudámos os vizinhos.

Yes, we always helped the neighbours.

Words in this phrase

Sim

[seeng]

yes

A simple affirmative answer meaning 'yes'.

Example

Sim, a cultura parece muito colaborativa.

Yes, the culture seems very collaborative.

sempre

[SEHNG-pruh]

always

Adverb meaning 'always'.

Example

Há sempre espaço para aprender mais sobre a empresa.

There is always room to learn more about the company.

ajudámos

[ah-zhoo-DAH-moosh]

we helped

First person plural past of 'ajudar'; the accent marks past tense in European Portuguese.

Example

Ontem ajudámos os vizinhos.

Yesterday we helped the neighbours.

os pobres

oosh POH-brees

the poor

'Os' sounds like 'ush' before 'p'. 'Pobres' is stressed on 'PO'.

Example

Damos comida aos pobres.

We give food to the poor.

Words in this phrase

[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.

pobres

[POH-brees]

poor

Lacking sufficient money or means.

Example

Ele é um homem pobre.

He is a poor man.

e os doentes.

ee oosh doo-EN-tesh

and the sick.

Link 'e os' smoothly. 'Doentes' is 'du-ÊN-tsh'. Let your voice fall at the end of the statement.

Example

O médico trata os doentes.

The doctor treats the sick.

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.

doentes

[doo-EN-tesh]

sick people

Plural of 'doente', the sick or ill.

Example

O médico visita os doentes.

The doctor visits the sick.

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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