Daqui a Pouco vs. Em Breve: Say ‘Soon’ in Portuguese — Practice

Use daqui a pouco for ‘in a little while’

Daqui a pouco is a frequent spoken expression meaning ‘in a little while’ or ‘soon.’ It points forward from now, often to the next part of a familiar routine: já volto, daqui a pouco (I’ll be right back, in a little while). It does not promise an exact number of minutes.

The phrase is written with a: daqui a pouco. Do not translate daqui word by word as ‘from here’ when the full expression is describing time.

Use em breve for a broader ‘soon’

Em breve also means ‘soon,’ but it can refer to an upcoming event without the same immediate conversational feel. You may see it in announcements: novas datas serão divulgadas em breve (new dates will be announced soon). The time could be hours, days, or longer; the phrase itself does not specify.

Both expressions depend on context. If the timing matters, give a precise time or date instead of relying on soon: em dez minutos, amanhã de manhã, or na próxima semana.

Remember: Daqui a pouco often points to a short wait in conversation; em breve works for a broader upcoming event. Give a specific time when the schedule must be clear.

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. The meeting starts in a little while.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   A reunião começa daqui a pouco.

2. I’m going to leave soon.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Vou sair daqui a pouco.

3. I’ll send you the address in a little while.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Daqui a pouco eu te mando o endereço.

4. The result will be released soon.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   O resultado sai em breve.

5. We’ll talk more in a little while.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   A gente conversa melhor daqui a pouco.

6. Registration opens next Monday.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   As inscrições começam na próxima segunda-feira.

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

Daqui a pouco often points to a short wait in conversation; em breve works for a broader upcoming event. Give a specific time when the schedule must be clear.

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our Daqui a Pouco vs. Em Breve: Say ‘Soon’ in Portuguese lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.