Portuguese · Greetings & Essentials
"Excuse me" in Portuguese: com licença
com licença
Note: to apologize: desculpe
Excuse me in Portuguese is com licença when you need to pass or interrupt. To apologize for a mistake, prefer desculpe or desculpa. Both show up constantly in shops and on the street.
Passing in a crowded metro
Com licença, por favor.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce com licença
Say it
kong lee-SEN-sah
/ˈkõ li.ˈsẽ.sa/
kong lee-SEN-sah. Soft c in licença like s.
"Excuse me" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| com licença | excuse me (passing / interrupting) Default polite attention-getter. | Default polite attention-getter. |
| desculpe | sorry / excuse me Apology or soft interrupt. | Apology or soft interrupt. |
| desculpa | sorry (casual) Friends and informal speech. | Friends and informal speech. |
| licença | excuse me (short) Quick squeeze-past in a crowd. | Quick squeeze-past in a crowd. |
| por favor | please Sometimes softens an ask after com licença. | Sometimes softens an ask after com licença. |
How to use com licença in real life
- 1Passing in a crowded metro
Com licença, por favor.
Excuse me, please.
The classic squeeze-through line.
- 2Getting a waiter's attention
Com licença, a conta quando puder?
Excuse me, the check when you can?
Polite restaurant interrupt.
- 3Entering an office
Com licença, posso falar com a Ana?
Excuse me, may I speak with Ana?
Soft way to enter a conversation.
Mistakes English speakers make with com licença
Incorrect: Desculpe (when you only need to pass).
Correct: Com licença.
Com licença is for passing or interrupting. Desculpe leans toward apology.
Incorrect: Con permiso.
Correct: Com licença.
Spanish permiso is wrong. Portuguese is com licença.
Good to know
Brazilians say com licença while slipping past people, entering elevators, or starting a request. Desculpe covers bumps and mistakes. Using the wrong one is still understood, but the split feels more natural once you practice both.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Asking for help in a store
ChatPal
Com licença, você trabalha aqui?
Excuse me, do you work here?
You
Com licença… estou só procurando o caixa.
Excuse me… I'm just looking for the register.
ChatPal
Sem problema. Com licença, o corredor é esse.
No problem. Excuse me, that aisle is this way.
You
Obrigada. Com licença de novo!
Thanks. Excuse me again!
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Excuse me" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Excuse me" in Portuguese
Com licença or desculpe?
Com licença to pass or interrupt. Desculpe to apologize.
Can I shorten it?
Yes: Licença! in a crowd.
Is it rude to skip it?
In crowded places, skipping it can feel abrupt.
How do I apologize after bumping someone?
Desculpe! or Desculpa!
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
