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How to Say ‘Excuse me, may I ask a question?’ in Portuguese

Desculpe, posso fazer uma pergunta?

des-koo-lpe POH-soo fah-ZEHR OO-muh pehr-GOON-tah

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

Phrase Breakdown

Desculpe,

des-koo-lpe

Excuse me,

This is the polite formal way to get attention. In Portugal it sounds like 'dsh-KOOLP'. The first 'e' almost disappears, and 's' before 'c' sounds like 'sh'.

Example

Desculpe, onde fica a estação?

Excuse me, where is the station?

Words in this phrase

Desculpe

[des-koo-lpe]

sorry

A polite expression used to forgive or ask for forgiveness.

Example

Eu estou desculpado.

I am forgiven.

posso fazer

POH-soo fah-ZEHR

can I ask / make

'Posso' (I can) plus 'fazer' (to do/make). Say 'POH-soo fuh-ZEHR'.

Example

Posso fazer uma reserva?

Can I make a reservation?

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?

Say 'OO-muh pehr-GOON-tuh' with rising intonation.

Example

Só uma pergunta.

Just one 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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