Portuguese · Real conversations
Express uncertainty naturally in Portuguese
Separate what you know from what you think might be true. A tentative belief, a possibility, or an invitation to check lets the other person judge the information appropriately.
Three ways to say it
Acho que começa às nove.
I think it starts at nine.
Give a likely start time while marking it as your belief.
Pode estar fechado hoje.
It might be closed today.
Mention a possibility rather than claiming that the shop is definitely closed.
Não tenho certeza. Podemos conferir?
I'm not certain. Could we check?
State uncertainty directly and suggest verification.
Avoid translating word by word
English 'might' marks possibility here; it is not the noun meaning strength. Languages express possibility through different verbs, adverbs, or endings, so keep the complete uncertainty pattern.
See the difference in context
Recalling an event's start time
A que horas começa?
What time does it start?
Acho que começa às nove.
I think it starts at nine.
Checking whether a shop is open
A loja está aberta hoje?
Is the shop open today?
Pode estar fechado hoje.
It might be closed today.
Your turn
You are not certain about a detail. Say so and ask whether you can check it together.
Reveal a sample reply
Não tenho certeza. Podemos conferir?
I'm not certain. Could we check?
This speaking goal in other languages
A note on speaking Portuguese
These guides use Brazilian Portuguese. Você is a common everyday address; senhor or senhora may fit a more formal interaction. Eu gostaria and poderia can soften requests without making them complicated.
Keep the accents and nasal spellings, such as não and conexão. Portuguese in Portugal may use different everyday vocabulary or pronouns. The examples aim for broadly understandable Brazilian wording.
