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How to Say ‘I'm sorry for the inconvenience.’ in Portuguese

Peço desculpa pelo incómodo.

PEH-soo desh-KOOL-pah PEH-loo in-KO-moo-doo

[PEH-soo desh-KOOL-pah PEH-loo in-KO-moo-doo]

Phrase Breakdown

Peço desculpa

PEH-soo desh-KOOL-pah

I apologise

This is a polite, common way to say sorry in Portugal. 'Peço' sounds like 'PEH-soo' and 'desculpa' like 'd'SHKOOL-pa'.

Example

Peço desculpa pelo atraso.

I apologise for the delay.

Words in this phrase

Peço

[PEH-soo]

I ask (for)

First person of 'pedir'; with 'desculpa' it means 'I apologise'.

Example

Peço um café, por favor.

I'm asking for a coffee, please.

desculpa

[desh-KOOL-pah]

sorry

Informal way to apologize, from 'desculpar'.

Example

Desculpa o barulho.

Sorry for the noise.

pelo incómodo.

PEH-loo in-KO-moo-doo

for the inconvenience.

'Pelo' is 'por + o' (for the). 'Incómodo' is stressed on 'có': 'een-KO-moo-doo'.

Example

Obrigado e desculpe pelo incómodo.

Thank you and sorry for the inconvenience.

Words in this phrase

pelo

[PEH-loo]

for the

Contraction of por + o, commonly used before masculine singular nouns.

Example

Escrevi «Pelo» seu tempo para introduzir o motivo do agradecimento.

I wrote “for the” your time to introduce the reason for the thanks.

incómodo

[in-KO-moo-doo]

inconvenience / trouble

A bother or nuisance caused to someone.

Example

Não é incómodo nenhum.

It's no trouble at all.

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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