Portuguese · Real conversations

Support and boundaries: Portuguese conversation practice

Show care while being clear about your limits. Read the exchange, reveal the translations when you need them, then try your part before looking at the sample answers.

B1 · Read and rehearse

Your role: A friend having a thoughtful private conversation.

Goal: Show care while being clear about your limits.

Read the conversation

Partner
Tive uma semana difícil, mas não sei bem o que dizer.
Show English translation
I've had a hard week, but I'm not sure what to say.
You
Você quer conversar sobre isso?
Show English translation
Would you like to talk about it?
Partner
Talvez mais tarde. Posso perguntar por que você saiu do último emprego?
Show English translation
Maybe later. Can I ask why you left your last job?
You
Prefiro não falar sobre isso.
Show English translation
I'd prefer not to discuss that.
Partner
Claro. Achei que decidir hoje tornaria as coisas mais fáceis.
Show English translation
Of course. I thought deciding today would make things easier.
You
Entendo o que você quer dizer, mas preciso de mais tempo.
Show English translation
I see what you mean, but I need more time.
Partner
Pense com calma. Você quer que eu compartilhe isso com o grupo?
Show English translation
Take your time. Would you like me to share this with the group?
You
Não me sinto à vontade com isso.
Show English translation
I don't feel comfortable with that.
Partner
Não vou compartilhar. Podemos nos encontrar amanhã.
Show English translation
I won't share it. We could meet tomorrow instead.
You
Deixa eu pensar nisso.
Show English translation
Let me think about it.

Try your part first

Partner says: I've had a hard week, but I'm not sure what to say. Your goal: Would you like to talk about it?
Reveal a sample reply
Você quer conversar sobre isso?
Would you like to talk about it?
Partner says: Maybe later. Can I ask why you left your last job? Your goal: I'd prefer not to discuss that.
Reveal a sample reply
Prefiro não falar sobre isso.
I'd prefer not to discuss that.
Partner says: Of course. I thought deciding today would make things easier. Your goal: I see what you mean, but I need more time.
Reveal a sample reply
Entendo o que você quer dizer, mas preciso de mais tempo.
I see what you mean, but I need more time.
Partner says: Take your time. Would you like me to share this with the group? Your goal: I don't feel comfortable with that.
Reveal a sample reply
Não me sinto à vontade com isso.
I don't feel comfortable with that.
Partner says: I won't share it. We could meet tomorrow instead. Your goal: Let me think about it.
Reveal a sample reply
Deixa eu pensar nisso.
Let me think about it.

Make it your own

Offer company instead of advice.
Set a different boundary.
Ask for time before answering.

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.