Phrase · 🙇 Apologies & excuses
Desculpa incomodar, mas você pode me ajudar?
Sorry to bother you, but could you help me?
B1interrupting politelyAudio · coming soon
Why every word is where it is
Desculpaverbsorrydesculpar · imperative · 3rd sing.incomodar1verbto botherinfinitive,masconjunctionbutvocêpronounyou3rd sing. · subjectpodeverbcanpoder · present · 3rd sing.me2object pronounmeeu · 1st sing. · direct objectajudar2verbhelpinfinitive?
- Desculpa → incomodar: governs
- você → pode: subject
- pode → ajudar: governs
- ajudar → me: object
Word for word: “Sorry to-bother, but you can me help?”
Why it's built this way
The notes match the numbers above.
- 1incomodar = to bother. Avoid molestar, which in Portuguese means to abuse someone.
- 2me ajudar: pronoun before the infinitive, the Brazilian spoken order. Object pronouns as spoken →
Variations
- Desculpe incomodar, mas o senhor pode me ajudar?
- Com licença, você pode me ajudar?
- Desculpa atrapalhar, é rapidinho.