How to Reply in Common Situations - European Portuguese

TL;DR

Learn common Portuguese replies and their usage in various situations.

Transcript

so in this video we'll be sharing the most used forms of reply or phrases that we would use in common situations in life so most of these situations are common so we'll start with a short dialogue very brief and then if need be i'll explain the expression a little bit and after we'll have a practice session and then we move on to the next phrase or... Read More

Key Insights

• In Portuguese, the word for 'thank you' depends on the speaker's gender, not the recipient's. Men say 'obrigado' and women say 'obrigada'.
• The phrase 'não vejo a hora' translates to 'I can't wait' and is used to express anticipation.
• 'Desculpe' is used for unintentional actions that might have caused inconvenience or harm to someone.
• The phrase 'com licença' is a polite way to ask for permission to pass by someone or end a conversation.
• 'Parabéns' is used to congratulate someone, while 'os meus sentimentos' is used to express condolences.
• 'Força' is used to encourage someone to proceed with an action they are hesitant about.
• 'Há quanto tempo' is used to express 'long time no see', indicating time elapsed since last meeting.
• 'Estás a casar?' can express surprise or disbelief, depending on the tone and facial expression used.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the correct way to say 'thank you' in Portuguese?

In Portuguese, the word for 'thank you' depends on the speaker's gender. Men should say 'obrigado', while women should say 'obrigada'. It is a common misconception that the word changes based on the recipient's gender, but it actually reflects the speaker's own gender.

Q: How can you express anticipation in Portuguese?

To express anticipation in Portuguese, you can use the phrase 'não vejo a hora', which translates to 'I can't wait'. This phrase is used to convey eagerness or excitement about an upcoming event or situation. It is not a literal translation but an equivalent expression.

Q: What phrase would you use to apologize for an unintentional action?

The phrase 'desculpe' is used in Portuguese to apologize for an unintentional action that might have caused inconvenience or harm to someone. It is a way to express that it was not your intention to cause any trouble or hurt, similar to saying 'I'm sorry' in English.

Q: How do you politely ask for permission to pass by someone?

To politely ask for permission to pass by someone in Portuguese, you can use the phrase 'com licença'. This is a courteous way to request someone to move aside or allow you to proceed, similar to saying 'excuse me' in English. It can also be used to end a conversation.

Q: What is the Portuguese phrase for 'congratulations'?

The Portuguese phrase for 'congratulations' is 'parabéns'. It is used to express joy and commendation for someone's achievement or special occasion, such as a birthday or a wedding. For expressing condolences, you would use 'os meus sentimentos'.

Q: How do you encourage someone to proceed with an action?

To encourage someone to proceed with an action in Portuguese, you can use the word 'força'. This term is used to motivate or give someone the green light to go ahead with something they are considering or hesitant about. It is similar to saying 'go ahead' or 'you can do it'.

Q: What does 'há quanto tempo' mean in a social context?

In a social context, 'há quanto tempo' is used to express 'long time no see'. It indicates that a significant amount of time has passed since the last meeting or encounter with someone. It is a way to acknowledge the time elapsed and express a sense of reunion.

Q: How can tone and expression change the meaning of 'estás a casar?'

The phrase 'estás a casar?' can convey different emotions based on tone and facial expression. With a surprised tone, it can express disbelief or shock at the news of someone's marriage. With a happy tone, it can show genuine surprise and joy for the person getting married.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• This video teaches the most common replies and phrases used in everyday situations in European Portuguese, focusing on practical usage and pronunciation.

• The lesson covers expressions such as 'obrigado', 'não vejo a hora', 'desculpe', and 'com licença', explaining their meanings and contexts.

• Viewers are encouraged to practice these phrases through a provided Memrise lesson and explore more content via social media links.