Frasa
SituationsGet the app (opens the App Store in a new tab)

Portuguese phrases for asking a neighbour to take in a parcel in Portugal

Knock, apologise for the bother and ask: “Podia receber uma encomenda por mim?”. Say when it is due: “Espero uma encomenda hoje”. Later, collect it with “Tem alguma encomenda para mim?”, thank them with “Agradeço por ter guardado a minha encomenda”, and offer to do the same for them.

Try it · about two minutes

You’ll be out when a delivery is due, so you ask the neighbour across the landing to take it in.

You choose what to say back, and Frasa tells you why it works.

How does the conversation usually go?

  1. Neighbour

    Olá, tudo bem?

    Hi, how are you?

    You

    Posso fazer-lhe uma pergunta?

    May I ask you something?

  2. Neighbour

    Com certeza, diga.

    Of course, go ahead.

    You

    Podia receber uma encomenda por mim?

    Could you take in a parcel for me?

  3. Neighbour

    Claro, sem problema. Quando é que ela chega?

    Of course, no problem. When is it due?

    You

    Espero uma encomenda hoje.

    I’m expecting a parcel today.

  4. In the evening you knock on the same door.

    You

    Tem alguma encomenda para mim?

    Do you have a parcel for me?

  5. Neighbour

    Esta encomenda é sua?

    Is this parcel yours?

    You

    Sim, é minha. Muito obrigado.

    Yes, it’s mine. Thank you very much.

  6. Neighbour

    Se precisar de ajuda, é só bater à porta.

    If you need a hand, just knock.

    You

    Posso receber as suas encomendas quando estiver fora.

    I can take in your parcels when you’re out.

Which Portuguese phrases do you need?

  • Olá, tudo bem?

    Hi, how are you?

  • Posso fazer-lhe uma pergunta?

    May I ask you something?

  • Com licença, pode ajudar-me?

    Excuse me, can you help me?

  • Podia receber uma encomenda por mim?

    Could you take in a parcel for me?

  • Espero uma encomenda hoje.

    I’m expecting a parcel today.

  • Tem alguma encomenda para mim?

    Do you have a parcel for me?

  • Esta encomenda é sua?

    Is this parcel yours?

  • Agradeço por ter guardado a minha encomenda.

    Thanks for keeping my parcel.

  • Posso receber as suas encomendas quando estiver fora.

    I can take in your parcels when you’re out.

  • Deixe com o meu vizinho, por favor.

    Leave it with my neighbour, please.

What is worth knowing in Portugal?

A parcel with a neighbour

  1. 1

    Ask in advance, and say roughly when the parcel is due.

    Podia receber uma encomenda por mim?Could you take in a parcel for me?
  2. 2

    Check back the same day and collect it.

    Tem alguma encomenda para mim?Do you have a parcel for me?
  3. 3

    Thank them, and offer to do the same.

    Agradeço por ter guardado a minha encomenda.Thanks for keeping my parcel.

Tell the courier

Once your neighbour has agreed, you can tell the courier to leave the parcel with them, if you get the chance. Tell the neighbour first, so they know to expect it.

Deixe com o meu vizinho, por favor.

Leave it with my neighbour, please.

Return the favour

A short thank-you and an offer to take in their parcels too go a long way. Neighbours usually appreciate it.

Posso receber as suas encomendas quando estiver fora.

I can take in your parcels when you’re out.

Questions about this situation

Which Portuguese phrases matter most here?
“Olá, tudo bem?” (Hi, how are you); “Posso fazer-lhe uma pergunta?” (May I ask you something); “Com licença, pode ajudar-me?” (Excuse me, can you help me). The full list is above.
Can I hear how they sound?
Not yet: this page has no recordings so far. Each phrase comes with its meaning in English.
How can I practise this conversation?
Press “Start the conversation” above to play it through and choose your replies, with a note on why some fit better in Portugal. Frasa, an iPhone app, lets you save these phrases and rehearse them out loud.

Related situations in Portuguese

All situations in Portuguese

Practise these phrases in Frasa

Frasa is an iPhone app for the conversations in front of you. Save phrases like these, rehearse them out loud, and they come back until they stick.

AI-generated. May be inaccurate.