Imperfeito de Cortesia

Level 6

The imperfeito de cortesia is a social 'softener.' Instead of saying 'I want' (present), you say 'I wanted' (imperfect) to sound more respectful and less demanding.

How It Works

In Portuguese, being too direct can sometimes come across as rude, especially in service encounters or when asking for favors. The imperfeito de cortesia (Imperfect of Politeness) is the most common way to mitigate this.

How it works:
You take a verb that expresses a desire or ability—most commonly querer (to want), poder (to be able to), or gostar (to like)—and conjugate it in the imperfect tense instead of the present. Even though the verb is technically in a past tense, it refers to the immediate present.

Key Verbs Used:

  • Queria: Used instead of quero (I want). This is the standard way to order at a restaurant or café.
  • Podia: Used instead of pode (can you). It softens a request for help.
  • Gostava/Gostaria: Used to express a preference. Note that in Portugal, gostava is very common, while Brazil often uses gostaria (the conditional).
  • Vinha: Used when approaching someone to explain why you are there ('I was coming to ask...').

This pattern is not just for formal situations; it is used daily by all speakers to maintain social harmony.

Examples (4)

  1. Queria um café e um pão de queijo, por favor.

    I would like a coffee and a cheese bread, please.

    Word by Word: I wanted a coffee and a bread of cheese, please.

    Using 'queria' (imperfect) instead of 'quero' (present) makes the order sound like a polite request rather than a demand.

  2. Você podia me ajudar com estas malas?

    Could you help me with these suitcases?

    Word by Word: You were able to me help with these suitcases?

    Using 'podia' softens the request, giving the listener more 'space' to agree or decline politely.

  3. Eu vinha pedir um pequeno favor ao senhor.

    I was coming to ask you for a small favor.

    Word by Word: I was coming to ask a small favor to the gentleman.

    The verb 'vir' in the imperfect ('vinha') is used here to initiate a conversation and introduce a request gently.

  4. Gostava de marcar uma consulta para amanhã.

    I would like to book an appointment for tomorrow.

    Word by Word: I liked to mark an appointment for tomorrow.

    Common in European Portuguese, 'gostava' (imperfect) is used where English would use 'would like'.

Common Mistakes

  • Thinking the speaker is talking about the past.

    Ontem eu queria um café.
    Queria um café agora, por favor.

    While 'queria' can mean 'I wanted' in the past, in a social context it almost always refers to a polite desire in the present moment.

  • Using the present tense in service situations, which can sound blunt.

    Eu quero uma cerveja.
    Eu queria uma cerveja, por favor.

    Using 'quero' (I want) can sound like a command. 'Queria' is the standard, polite way to interact with staff.