Giving sensitive feedback in Brazilian Portuguese

Level B2

Giving sensitive feedback in Brazilian Portuguese

These notes explain how Brazilian Portuguese can soften criticism while keeping the concern and next step clear. Notice how the choice of address and the wording of a request affect its formality and directness.

Words for concerns, reservations, and refusals

Use “levantar uma preocupação” to bring up an issue, “ressalva” for a reservation, “não é exatamente” to soften an evaluation, and “recusar” for a refusal. For example, “Tenho ressalvas” means “I have reservations”; the plural noun sounds natural when expressing doubts or qualifications. Unlike English “you,” Portuguese forms of address distinguish everyday “você” from more formal “o senhor/a senhora.” Choose the form with the relationship and setting in mind.

Describe a misunderstanding without blaming someone

“Parece que houve um mal-entendido sobre…” makes the misunderstanding the focus rather than accusing the other person; “parece” and the impersonal “houve” help create that distance. Follow it with a collaborative request: “Podemos esclarecer isso antes de continuar?” A more casual option is “Acho que a gente se entendeu mal,” which presents the misunderstanding as shared. English also uses “there seems to be.” In informal Brazilian Portuguese, “a gente” takes a singular verb.

parece que houve um mal-entendido sobre assunto ; podemos pedido de esclarecimento e próximo passo ? there-seems-to-be-a-misunderstanding-about we-might-have-misunderstood-each-other-about

Soften criticism and state what needs to happen

“Não é exatamente” understates a negative judgment, but the following consequence should still make the concern clear. In “Os números não são exatamente confiáveis, então precisamos conferir tudo,” the “então” clause says what action is needed. The informal example uses “não é exatamente justo” and then proposes washing the dishes after each meal. English speakers may soften criticism too, but avoid letting the understatement hide the requested change.

situação não é exatamente avaliação , então consequência ou mudança solicitada . the-figures-are-not-exactly-reliable-so leaving-dirty-dishes-for-a-week-is

Decline and offer another option

Pair a softening phrase with an explicit refusal and a possible alternative. “Infelizmente, preciso recusar…” is suitable for a formal request; “Vou ter que recusar dessa vez” is more conversational. The formal example addresses the requester as “o senhor,” while the informal example uses “você” in “com você.” English “I’m afraid” is a common softener, but these Portuguese examples use “infelizmente” or state the refusal directly.

expressão de suavização , recusa explícita mas alternativa disponível . im-afraid-i-must-decline-your-request ill-have-to-decline-this-time-but

Raise a concern in a professional conversation

This exchange uses formal, respectful language: “Gostaria de” softens the opening, and “o senhor” marks respectful address. Speaker A says “Tenho ressalvas” and gives a reason; speaker B then proposes a new delivery date. “O senhor aceitaria…?” makes the proposal less direct than a command. English does not change its pronoun for formal address, so notice that Portuguese signals formality through the form of address as well as through phrases such as “gostaria de.”

Raise a concern with someone close to you

This exchange is informal: “tá” is a casual spoken form of “está,” and “te” and “a gente” fit familiar conversation. Speaker A names the concern about spending the savings; speaker B suggests looking for a cheaper place. In “Será que a gente podia…?”, “podia” is the imperfect indicative of “poder,” used here to soften a present suggestion rather than describe past ability. English also softens suggestions, for example with “Could we…?”

Practise this lesson

Next lessons