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How to Say ‘There's a small delay.’ in Portuguese

Há um pequeno atraso.

ah oong peh-KAY-noo ah-TRAH-zoo

[ah oong peh-KAY-noo ah-TRAH-zoo]

🇵🇹 In Portugal: Softening bad news with pequeno is typical in Portuguese meetings. Delays are often framed gently rather than stated bluntly.

Phrase Breakdown

Há um pequeno

ah oong peh-KAY-noo

There is a small

'Há um' blends into 'aum'. 'pequeno' sounds like 'p'KÊ-nu'.

Example

Há um pequeno café ali.

There is a small café over there.

Words in this phrase

Há

[ah]

there is / there are

Form of haver used to say that something exists.

Example

Há interesse em ouvir candidatos no evento.

There is interest in listening to candidates at the event.

[oong]

An indefinite article used before a masculine singular noun.

Example

Em «um» prazer, o artigo introduz a expressão educada.

In “a” pleasure, the article introduces the polite expression.

pequeno

[peh-KAY-noo]

small / little

Adjective for something of small size; feminine form is 'pequena'.

Example

Quero um café pequeno.

I want a small coffee.

atraso.

ah-TRAH-zoo

delay.

Means delay, not 'late person'. Stress falls on 'TRA'.

Example

O comboio tem atraso.

The train is delayed.

Words in this phrase

atraso

[ah-TRAH-zoo]

delay / lateness

Masculine noun meaning a delay or being late.

Example

O comboio tem um atraso.

The train has a delay.

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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