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How to Say ‘Wait, the referee is checking VAR.’ in Portuguese

Espere, o árbitro está a ver o VAR.

eh-SPER-ay oo AR-bee-troo shtah ah vehr oo vahr

[eh-SPER-ay oo AR-bee-troo shtah ah vehr oo vahr]

Phrase Breakdown

Espere,

eh-SPER-ay

Wait,

This is the polite command form of 'esperar' (to wait). Say 'shpér', with a very weak first 'e' and a barely heard final 'e'.

Example

Espere, por favor.

Wait, please.

Words in this phrase

Espere

[eh-SPER-ay]

Wait

To remain stationary or delayed.

Example

Espere um pouco, volto já.

Wait a moment, I'll be right back.

o árbitro

oo AR-bee-troo

the referee

The stress falls on the first syllable: 'ÁR-bi-tru'. The final 'o' sounds like 'u'.

Example

O árbitro apitou.

The referee blew the whistle.

Words in this phrase

[oo]

the

A masculine singular definite article used before nouns.

Example

O prazer de participar foi grande.

The pleasure of taking part was great.

árbitro

[AR-bee-troo]

referee

The official who enforces the rules in a match.

Example

O árbitro apitou.

The referee blew the whistle.

está a ver o VAR.

shtah ah vehr oo vahr

is checking the VAR.

This is 'estar a + infinitive' for an ongoing action. Run the words together smoothly: 'shtá a vêr u var'.

Example

Ela está a ver o replay.

She is watching the replay.

Words in this phrase

está

[shtah]

are (you, formal) / is

Form of 'estar' (to be, for states) used with 'você' or formal address, or for he/she/it.

Example

O senhor está cansado?

Are you tired, sir?

[ah]

(progressive marker)

In European Portuguese, 'estar a + infinitive' means doing something right now.

Example

Estou a comer.

I am eating.

ver

[vehr]

to see; to watch

Verb meaning to see or look at.

Example

Vamos ver o jogo.

Let's watch the game.

[oo]

the

A masculine singular definite article used before nouns.

Example

O prazer de participar foi grande.

The pleasure of taking part was great.

VAR

[vahr]

VAR (video assistant referee)

Video replay system used to review referee decisions.

Example

O VAR anulou o golo.

VAR disallowed the goal.

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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