Phrase · 🎭 Indirect invitations & refusals

Poxa, que pena, já tenho compromisso.

Oh, what a shame, I've already got plans.

C2polite refusalinformalpt-BR-spAudio · coming soon

Why every word is where it is

Poxa1interjectionoh, gosh,quedeterminerwhatpenanounshamefem. · sing.,jáadverbalreadytenhoverbI haveter · present · 1st sing.compromisso2nounengagement, plansmasc. · sing..

Poxa → pena: softeners before the refusal
tenho → compromisso: ter compromisso (no article)

Why it's built this way

The notes match the numbers above.

1
«poxa» softens disappointment or a refusal. Pragmatics of Brazilian indirectness & politeness →
2
«compromisso» = appointment, plans; no article in «tenho compromisso».