How to Say “Would You Mind?” in Portuguese: Se Importa Se… — Practice

Use se importa se before an action you are considering

Você se importa se…? means “Would you mind if…?” or “Do you mind if…?” It is a polite way to check before opening a window, taking a seat, or changing a plan.

After se, Brazilian Portuguese commonly uses the present subjunctive for a possible action: se eu abrir, se eu sentar, se eu ligar. Learn the question with a real action you might ask about.

Notice the difference between “mind” and “not mind”

A common reply is Não me importo, meaning “I don’t mind.” If someone says Me importo, they mean that it does bother them; listen for the negative word não.

In a real conversation, a short answer may need a follow-up: Pode, claro (Sure, go ahead) or Prefiro que não (I’d rather you didn’t). Tone and context help you understand the response.

Use a softer phrase when the request is an inconvenience

If you are asking for a larger change, add por favor or explain why. You can also use Seria um problema se…? (Would it be a problem if…?) when you want to sound more tentative.

These phrases ask about the other person’s comfort; they do not automatically grant permission. Wait for the response before acting when the choice affects someone else.

Remember: Use Você se importa se…? to check before doing something. Listen for não in the reply, and give the other person room to say what works for them.

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. Would you mind if I opened the window?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Você se importa se eu abrir a janela?

2. Do you mind if I sit here?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Se importa se eu sentar aqui?

3. Would you mind if I turned on the fan?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Você se importa se eu ligar o ventilador?

4. — Do you mind if I close the door? — No, go ahead.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   — Você se importa se eu fechar a porta? — Não, pode fechar.

5. — Do you mind if I use this chair? — I’d rather you didn’t; I’m saving it for someone.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   — Se importa se eu usar esta cadeira? — Prefiro que não; estou esperando alguém.

6. You can leave the window open; I don’t mind.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Pode deixar a janela aberta, não me importo.

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.

Use Você se importa se…? to check before doing something. Listen for não in the reply, and give the other person room to say what works for them.

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 Say “Would You Mind?” in Portuguese: Se Importa Se… 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.