How to say “We should hurry a little” in Portuguese

Introduction

Learning how to say We should hurry a little in Brazilian Portuguese helps you move faster in real-life situations like catching a bus, meeting friends, or getting through a long line. This short guide explains common ways to express that idea, useful vocabulary, natural replies, and simple dialogues for beginners.

Core phrase: How to say We should hurry a little

The most direct and natural way to say We should hurry a little in Brazilian Portuguese is Devemos nos apressar um pouco. This is polite and slightly formal. For casual conversations, Brazilians often use shorter, friendlier forms like Vamos nos apressar um pouco or Vamos nos apressar.

Key verbs and words explained

Devemos — we should. This comes from dever, a modal verb used to express obligation or recommendation.

Apressar-se / nos apressar — to hurry oneself / to hurry ourselves. Reflexive verb used to indicate moving faster.

Um pouco — a little. Useful to soften requests and make them polite.

Vamos — let’s / we go. Common and colloquial way to suggest action together.

Common beginner-friendly variations

Different situations call for different tones. Here are several beginner-friendly ways to express the idea, from polite to casual.

Devemos nos apressar um pouco — polite, slightly formal.

Vamos nos apressar um pouco — friendly suggestion, still clear.

Vamos nos apressar — casual and common.

Temos que nos apressar — we have to hurry; expresses necessity.

Precisamos nos apressar um pouco — we need to hurry a little; slightly stronger than devemos.

Corre, gente — run, everyone; very informal, used with friends in urgent situations.

When to use each variation

Use Devemos nos apressar um pouco in polite settings, for example when speaking with colleagues or older people. Use Vamos nos apressar with friends or family. Use Temos que nos apressar or Precisamos nos apressar um pouco when you want to emphasize time pressure, like catching a bus.

Short dialogues: Realistic beginner scenarios

These dialogues show natural ways to use the phrases in everyday contexts.

Scenario: Leaving the café to catch a bus
Gabriela: Vamos nos apressar um pouco?
Pedro: Claro, a próxima linha passa em dez minutos.

Scenario: At work, a quick nudge to teammates
Rosa: Devemos nos apressar um pouco, a reunião começa em quinze minutos.
Lucas: Já estou indo, só pego meus papéis.

Scenario: Friends running late for a movie
Marcos: Corre, gente, o filme começa em cinco minutos!
Ana: Calma, vamos nos apressar.

Practical phrases and related vocabulary

Here are short, useful phrases and single words you will see or use in everyday situations where hurry is necessary.

Agora — now

Já — already / right away

Rápido — quick / fast

Depressa — quickly (adverb)

Vai — go / hurry (informal imperative from ir)

Hurry up — Apresse-se / Apressa-se (apressa-se is less common than apresse-se in formal texts; in speech Brazilians prefer vamos or corre)

Estamos atrasados — we are late

How to soften requests politely

Adding um pouco or por favor makes suggestions softer and more polite. Example: Vamos nos apressar um pouco, por favor is a polite way to ask coworkers to move faster without sounding rude.

Useful short sentences for specific situations

At a bus stop: Temos que nos apressar, o ônibus está quase chegando.

In a restaurant: Vamos nos apressar, queremos ver o menu antes que feche.

In a store: Precisamos nos apressar, a loja fecha em dez minutos.

On the phone: Posso ligar mais tarde? Agora preciso me apressar.

Beginner tips for pronunciation and natural speech

Pronunciation tip: Apressar-se sounds like ah-preh-SAR-seh. Stress the SAR syllable.

Clitic placement: In spoken Brazilian Portuguese, you will often hear nos apressar or nos apressa instead of dividing the reflexive particle. Keep it simple as a beginner and memorize full phrases like Vamos nos apressar.

Informal shortcuts: Brazilians shorten phrases a lot. You might hear Vamos apressar or Apressa, vai with friends. These are okay with close acquaintances but avoid them in formal settings.

Common replies when someone says We should hurry a little

Short, natural responses you can use immediately:

Ok, já vou — Okay, I’m going now.

Beleza, vamos — Fine, let’s go.

Tá bom, vou me apressar — All right, I’ll hurry.

Calma, tô indo — Calm down, I’m coming (informal).

Common mistakes beginners make

Using literal English word order or skipping reflexive pronouns. Say Vamos nos apressar, not *Vamos apressar-nos* which sounds unnatural in Brazilian Portuguese.

Overusing the formal apresse-se. This imperative is correct but uncommon in everyday speech. Prefer Vamos forms with friends and family.

Mixing Portugal-specific forms. Stick to the Brazilian forms shown here to sound natural in Brazil.

Mini practice dialogues to internalize phrasing

Practice 1: Train station
A: Temos que nos apressar, o trem sai em cinco minutos.
B: Estou pegando as malas, quase pronto.

Practice 2: Family leaving a party
Mãe: Vamos nos apressar um pouco, precisamos comprar pão antes de voltar.
Filho: Tá bom, mãe, indo.

Practice 3: Group of students
Aluno 1: Devemos nos apressar, a prova começa às nove.
Aluno 2: Vou correndo buscar as canetas.

How to combine with time expressions

Combine hurry phrases with time markers to be specific. Examples:

Precisamos nos apressar agora — we need to hurry now.

Vamos nos apressar um pouco, falta meia hora — let’s hurry a little, we have half an hour left.

Temos que nos apressar, o restaurante fecha em quinze minutos — we must hurry, the restaurant closes in fifteen minutes.

Final practical checklist for beginners

Memorize the core phrase Devemos nos apressar um pouco and one casual alternative like Vamos nos apressar.

Learn a few time markers: agora, já, em dez minutos, falta meia hora.

Practice short replies: Ok, já vou; Beleza, vamos; Tá bom, vou me apressar.

Use informal energy with friends: corre, gente or vai, vai when truly urgent.

Conclusion

Learning to say We should hurry a little in Brazilian Portuguese gives you a practical tool for everyday life. Focus on the natural phrases Devemos nos apressar um pouco and Vamos nos apressar, learn related vocabulary and short replies, and practice simple dialogues. With these phrases you will feel more confident moving quickly through real situations like transit, stores, or appointments.