How to say “Excuse me, please” in Portuguese politely

Introduction

Learning how to say excuse me politely is one of the first steps to sounding natural in Brazilian Portuguese. This guide teaches beginner learners the most common phrases, when to use them, how to pronounce them, and simple examples for everyday situations like restaurants, public transport, and stores.

Why knowing polite phrases matters

Politeness opens doors. In Brazil, using the right phrase for excuse me can show respect and make daily interactions smoother. For beginners, mastering a few set expressions avoids confusion and helps you connect with native speakers more easily.

Core phrase: Excuse me, please

The most common and versatile phrase is Com licença, por favor.

Breakdown in English:

Com licença literally means permit me or with permission, and is used the same way as excuse me in English.

Por favor means please and adds politeness. You can often say just Com licença without por favor in quick situations.

Pronunciation tips

Com licença: KOHM lee-SEN-sah. Emphasize the second syllable of licença.

Por favor: por fah-VOR. Try a soft r at the end, similar to the English r but light.

Say the phrase naturally and with a friendly tone; Brazilians appreciate warmth in speech.

When to use Com licença, por favor

Use this phrase in most situations where you need to get someone’s attention or pass by them politely. Common contexts include:

Passing through a crowded bus or subway

Entering or exiting a row of seats in a theater or classroom

Asking a question to a stranger in a store

Interrupting someone briefly

Everyday examples

In a crowded bus: Com licença, por favor, posso passar?

Translation: Excuse me, please, can I pass?

At a restaurant when leaving the table: Com licença, posso ir ao caixa?

Translation: Excuse me, can I go to the cashier?

Asking someone to move: Com licença, você pode me dar passagem?
Translation: Excuse me, could you give me some room to pass?

Other polite alternatives and when to use them

There are a few other expressions that function like excuse me in specific contexts. Learn them to sound natural.

Desculpe or Desculpe-me

Use when apologizing or when you bumped into someone. It is closer to sorry than excuse me, but often interchangeable.

Example: Desculpe, eu não te vi.
Translation: Sorry, I didn’t see you.

Com licença is better for passing through; Desculpe is better for apologizing.

Perdão

This means pardon and is slightly more formal or emphatic than desculpe. Use it for a sincere apology or to politely ask for forgiveness.

Example: Perdão, fui eu que quebrei isso.
Translation: Pardon me, I was the one who broke that.

Com licença, senhora / senhor

Adding senhora or senhor makes it more formal and respectful, useful for older people or formal settings.

Example: Com licença, senhora, a fila é por aqui?
Translation: Excuse me, ma’am, is the line here?

Politeness level: formal vs informal

Brazilian Portuguese distinguishes formality mainly through tone and context rather than heavy grammar changes for excuse me. Use the same phrases, but choose polite markers like senhor/senhora or add por favor for more formality.

Informal: Com licença or Desculpa (when talking to friends)

Formal: Com licença, por favor or Desculpe-me with senhor/senhora

Examples by situation

At a café when reaching past someone: Com licença, por favor, posso pegar o açúcar?

Translation: Excuse me, please, can I get the sugar?

In a store asking a clerk: Com licença, onde estão os tamanhos P?

Translation: Excuse me, where are size small items?

On a train trying to get to an empty seat: Com licença, posso sentar aqui?

Translation: Excuse me, may I sit here?

Short phrases to memorize

Memorizing short, ready-made phrases helps in real time.

Com licença — Excuse me (to pass by)

Com licença, por favor — Excuse me, please

Desculpe — Sorry / Excuse me (to apologize)

Desculpe-me — Please accept my apology (more formal)

Perdão — Pardon me

Common mistakes beginners make

Repeating literal English segments like saying excuse me in English often. Use the Portuguese phrases instead.

Using desculpa in formal contexts. Desculpa is informal; prefer desculpe in shops or with strangers.

Omitting tone. A brusque tone can make polite phrases sound rude. Smile and keep your voice gentle.

Overusing por favor. It is polite but not necessary every time; balance natural usage.

Pronunciation practice and mini-dialogues

Practice with short, realistic dialogues you might encounter.

Scenario: bus entrance
Pessoa A: Com licença.
Pessoa B: Tudo bem, pode passar.
Translation: Person A: Excuse me. Person B: All right, you can pass.

Scenario: asking for help in a store
Você: Com licença, por favor, onde ficam os banheiros?
Atendente: Ficam ao fundo, à direita.
Translation: You: Excuse me, please, where are the restrooms? Clerk: They are at the back, on the right.

Quick practice exercises

Exercise 1: Replace the English excuse me with Portuguese in these short situations: passing in a hallway, apologizing for stepping on a foot, asking a waiter for the menu.

Correct phrases: Com licença, Desculpe, Com licença, por favor.

Exercise 2: Roleplay with a friend. One person blocks a doorway; the other practices: Com licença, por favor, posso passar?

Useful vocabulary related to polite requests

Por favor — please

Obrigado / Obrigada — thank you (male / female speaker)

Desculpe / Desculpa — sorry (formal / informal)

Senhor / Senhora — sir / ma’am

Posso? — May I? Can I?

Passagem — passage, room to pass

Practical tips for real interactions

Pair phrases with body language: a slight nod, eye contact, and a gentle tone help convey politeness.

Listen and repeat: imitate recordings or native speakers to improve rhythm and intonation.

Start with short phrases: using Com licença confidently is better than trying long sentences you might forget.

Common signage and written uses

You will see Com licença rarely on signs; more common written forms are Obrigado and Por favor. However, in formal notices you may find Desculpe o transtorno meaning sorry for the inconvenience.

Example on a notice: Desculpe o transtorno. Serviço temporariamente indisponível.
Translation: Sorry for the inconvenience. Service temporarily unavailable.

Recap and quick reference

Most versatile phrase: Com licença, por favor for passing or getting attention.

Apology: Desculpe or Desculpe-me.

More formal or emphatic apology: Perdão.

Use senhor/senhora for extra respect and add por favor when you want to be extra polite.

Conclusion

Mastering polite ways to say excuse me in Brazilian Portuguese starts with memorizing a few core phrases, practicing pronunciation, and using them in realistic situations. Start with Com licença, por favor, learn Desculpe for apologies, and add senhor or senhora when needed. With these tools you will navigate everyday interactions in Brazil more confidently and politely.