Portuguese · Real conversations
Changing plans: Portuguese conversation practice
Explain a change and offer a clear next step. Read the exchange, reveal the translations when you need them, then try your part before looking at the sample answers.
A2 · Read and rehearse
Your role: A friend updating someone about an appointment.
Goal: Explain a change and offer a clear next step.
Read the conversation
Partner
Já estou no café. Você está chegando?
Show English translation
I'm already at the café. Are you nearly here?
You
Vou me atrasar dez minutos.
Show English translation
I'm running ten minutes late.
Partner
Obrigado / obrigada por avisar. Também podemos escolher outro dia.
Show English translation
Thanks for telling me. We could also choose another day.
You
Podemos mudar para sábado?
Show English translation
Can we move it to Saturday?
Partner
Sábado está bom. Está tudo bem?
Show English translation
Saturday works. Is everything okay?
You
Surgiu um imprevisto.
Show English translation
Something has come up.
Partner
Entendo. Ainda devo esperar você hoje?
Show English translation
I understand. Should I still wait for you today?
You
Infelizmente, não vou poder ir.
Show English translation
I'm afraid I can't make it.
Partner
Sem problema. Avise quando puder confirmar o sábado.
Show English translation
No problem. Tell me when you can confirm Saturday.
You
Eu te aviso.
Show English translation
I'll let you know.
Try your part first
Partner says: I'm already at the café. Are you nearly here? Your goal: I'm running ten minutes late.
Reveal a sample reply
Vou me atrasar dez minutos.
I'm running ten minutes late.
Partner says: Thanks for telling me. We could also choose another day. Your goal: Can we move it to Saturday?
Reveal a sample reply
Podemos mudar para sábado?
Can we move it to Saturday?
Partner says: Saturday works. Is everything okay? Your goal: Something has come up.
Reveal a sample reply
Surgiu um imprevisto.
Something has come up.
Partner says: I understand. Should I still wait for you today? Your goal: I'm afraid I can't make it.
Reveal a sample reply
Infelizmente, não vou poder ir.
I'm afraid I can't make it.
Partner says: No problem. Tell me when you can confirm Saturday. Your goal: I'll let you know.
Reveal a sample reply
Eu te aviso.
I'll let you know.
Make it your own
- Be twenty minutes late.
- Cancel instead of moving the time.
- Offer two alternative dates.
Keep the useful expression and change the detail. There can be several appropriate answers; the revealed replies are examples to learn from.
This rehearsal 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.
