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How to Say ‘No starters, thank you.’ in Portuguese

Não queremos o couvert, obrigado.

neh-ow keh-REH-moosh oo koo-VEHR oh-bree-GAH-doo

[neh-ow keh-REH-moosh oo koo-VEHR oh-bree-GAH-doo]

💬 Usage Tip: Obrigado changes to match the speaker, not the listener. A man says obrigado and a woman says obrigada.

Phrase Breakdown

Não queremos

neh-ow keh-REH-moosh

We don't want

Say 'nãw kuh-REH-moosh', with a nasal 'não'.

Example

Não queremos pão.

We don't want bread.

Words in this phrase

Não

[neh-ow]

do not

Used to negate an instruction or command.

Example

Não faça isso!

Do not do that!

queremos

[keh-REH-moosh]

we want

'We' form of the verb querer (to want).

Example

Queremos a conta, por favor.

We want the bill, please.

o couvert,

oo koo-VEHR

the cover (starters),

These are the table starters, which are not free. Say 'oo koo-VEHR' and pause briefly at the comma.

Example

Pode levar o couvert?

Can you take the couvert away?

Words in this phrase

[oo]

the (masculine singular)

Article used before a masculine singular noun; often unstressed in speech.

Example

O bilhete é mais barato se comprares com antecedência.

The ticket is cheaper if you buy in advance.

couvert

[koo-VEHR]

cover charge starters

Bread, butter, olives etc. brought to the table; you pay if you eat them.

Example

O couvert tem pão e azeitonas.

The couvert has bread and olives.

obrigado.

oh-bree-GAH-doo

thank you.

Men say 'obrigado' and women say 'obrigada'. Say 'oh-bree-GAH-doo'.

Example

Muito obrigado!

Thank you very much!

Words in this phrase

obrigado

[oh-bree-GAH-doo]

Thank you (male speaker)

Used to express gratitude, said by a male speaker. 'Obrigado' is for males, as it must agree with the speaker's gender.

Example

Ele disse 'Obrigado' depois de receber ajuda.

He said 'Thank you' after receiving help.

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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