How to Ask for a Day Off in Brazilian Portuguese — Practice
A guided practice lesson with English explanations, Brazilian Portuguese examples, and answers you can check. Read the examples, recall the meaning, then say a version of your own.
Make the request with a specific date
Use gostaria de pedir um dia de folga (I would like to request a day off) as a polite opening. Add the exact date or dates so the person can check the schedule before answering.
A request is not the same as an approved absence. Ask early when possible and follow the leave process used by your workplace.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Gostaria de pedir folga na sexta-feira, dia 23. | I’d like to request Friday the 23rd off. |
| Posso tirar a manhã de segunda-feira? | Could I take Monday morning off? |
| Queria consultar a possibilidade de me ausentar no dia 12. | I wanted to ask whether it would be possible to be away on the 12th. |
Give a reason only if you want to
You can briefly say that you have a personal appointment, a family commitment, or another reason. In a first request, a short explanation is usually enough; you can ask privately if the process requires additional information.
Avoid adding details you do not want to share. The practical points are often the date, expected availability, and any handoff needed before you are away.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Tenho um compromisso pessoal nessa manhã. | I have a personal commitment that morning. |
| Preciso resolver uma questão de família na terça-feira. | I need to take care of a family matter on Tuesday. |
| Se for necessário, posso conversar em particular sobre o motivo. | If necessary, I can discuss the reason privately. |
Ask about the process and coverage
Ask whether the dates work for the team and which approval or calendar step you should complete. If you are responsible for a task, suggest a handoff or a time to finish it before your leave.
Do not assume that a colleague has agreed to cover your work until they confirm. A short conversation about responsibilities can prevent confusion later.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Esse dia funciona para a equipe? | Does that day work for the team? |
| Preciso registrar o pedido em algum sistema? | Do I need to enter the request in a system? |
| Posso deixar as tarefas encaminhadas até quarta-feira. | I can get the tasks ready by Wednesday. |
Confirm the dates after you get an answer
Once the request is approved, repeat the dates and any agreed handoff in writing. If the person cannot approve them, ask whether another date could work instead of assuming the conversation is over.
Keep the wording calm and factual. Clear confirmation helps you and the team plan around the same schedule.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Obrigado por confirmar. Vou ficar fora na sexta-feira, dia 23. | Thanks for confirming. I’ll be away on Friday the 23rd. |
| Entendi. Outra data seria mais fácil para a equipe? | I understand. Would another date be easier for the team? |
| Deixei as informações do projeto com o Rafael. | I left the project information with Rafael. |
Remember: Name the dates, ask about approval, and confirm the handoff only after the plan is agreed.
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.
I’d like to request Friday the 23rd off.
Show a Portuguese answer
Gostaria de pedir folga na sexta-feira, dia 23.
Could I take Monday morning off?
Show a Portuguese answer
Posso tirar a manhã de segunda-feira?
I wanted to ask whether it would be possible to be away on the 12th.
Show a Portuguese answer
Queria consultar a possibilidade de me ausentar no dia 12.
I have a personal commitment that morning.
Show a Portuguese answer
Tenho um compromisso pessoal nessa manhã.
I need to take care of a family matter on Tuesday.
Show a Portuguese answer
Preciso resolver uma questão de família na terça-feira.
If necessary, I can discuss the reason privately.
Show a Portuguese answer
Se for necessário, posso conversar em particular sobre o motivo.
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.
Name the dates, ask about approval, and confirm the handoff only after the plan is agreed.
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 How to Ask for a Day Off in Brazilian 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.
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