INTRODUCTION |
In the last lesson, we learned how to get a table at a restaurant, but you have to know that sometimes it can be difficult to get a seat, especially on the weekends. The best thing to do, without a doubt, is to make a reservation for the time you want to eat. |
In this lesson, we'll cover making a reservation at a restaurant. |
GRAMMAR POINT |
Normally you will make a phone call to reserve a table. You would say “I would like to make a reservation for tonight”. |
Queria fazer uma reserva para hoje à noite. |
Let’s break it down: |
(slow) Queria fazer uma reserva para hoje à noite. |
Once more: |
Queria fazer uma reserva para hoje à noite. |
The first word, queria, is translated as “I would like”. Literally it means “would like.” In Portuguese, the subject is not necessary in this sentence. |
(slow) Que-ri-a. |
Queria. |
Next we have the word fazer, which is translated in English as “to do”or “to make”. |
(slow) Fa-zer. |
Fazer. |
Now the thing we want to make is uma reserva, clearly means “a reservation.” Uma reserva is translated as “a reservation”. |
(slow) Uma reserva. |
Uma reserva. |
Next we have para which means “for.” |
(slow) Pa-ra. |
Para. |
The last phrase hoje à noite means "today at night". This is how the Portuguese say “tonight”: |
(slow) Ho-je à noi-te. |
Hoje à noite. |
・ |
Normally, you’ll be asked “For how many people?” and “What time would you like a table?” |
“For how many people?” in Portuguese is: |
Para quantas pessoas? |
Let’s break it down: |
Pa-ra quan-tas pes-so-as? |
Once more: |
Para quantas pessoas? |
Let’s say you want to reserve a table for three. You’ll answer: “For three people, please.” |
Para três pessoas. |
(slow) Pa-ra três pes-so-as. |
Para três pessoas. |
First we have para, which means “for” |
(slow) Pa-ra. |
Para. |
Next we have três, which means “three.” |
(slow) Três. |
Três. |
Pessoas means “people” or “persons”. |
・ |
Finally, they will ask you the time of your reservation. |
À que horas? |
Let’s break it down: |
(slow) À que ho-ras? |
Once more: |
À que horas? |
Let’s say you want to reserve a table at eight o’clock. You will say “At eight o’clock.” In Portuguese, that is: |
Às oito horas. |
Let’s break it down: |
(slow) Às oi-to ho-ras. |
Once more: |
Às oito horas. |
First we have Às, which means “at”. |
(slow) Às. |
Às. |
Next we have oito, which means “eight.” |
(slow) oi-to. |
oito. |
This word is followed by horas, which means “hours” |
(slow) Ho-ras. |
Horas. |
When you want to be more specific with this sentence, you can add da noite meaning “at night”, or ou da tarde meaning “in the afternoon”. But usually if you say only the hours, people will understand you. |
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