If you are living in Portugal you will have heard this word, but what does it actually mean?
The Word ‘pois’ might seem like it isn’t even a word. I mean how can it mean so many things, right? Are you living in portugal? Then the chances are that you will have heard this word a fair amount of times. In this short post you are going to learn how to use and pronounce this word in Portuguese.
It is words like these that split the native speakers from the learners.
What does Pois mean exactly?
Well that is just it. It does not have just one meaning but multiple meanings. Let’s break it down.
Yes…
Pois, é verdade! – yes it is true
Pois, ele não vai – yeah, he isn’t going.
Pois, pois, eu sei – yes, yes, I know
Since…
Não interessa, pois vamos embora amanhã – it doesn’t matter since we are going away tomorrow.
Não tem problema, pois voltaremos cedo – It’s no problem since we’ll be back early.
Não faz diferença, pois já está resolvido – It doesn’t make a difference since it’s already sorted out.
Well…
Pois, podes tentar mas não vais conseguir – well you can try but you are not going to manage it
Pois, ele pode pedir mas ninguém vai aceitar – Well, he can ask but no one is going to agree.
Pois, podem correr mas não vão escapar – Well, they can run but they’re not going to escape.
Right…
Pois, então – right then
Pois, então é isso que vamos fazer agora – Right then, that’s what we are going to do now.
Pois, então segue em frente como estava planeado – Right then, carry on as it was planned.
Sure…
pois, pois – sure, sure…
Pois, conta comigo para ajudar no que for preciso – Sure, count on me to help with whatever is needed.
Pois, vou já tratar disso para ti – Sure, I’ll take care of that for you right away.
Because…
Não vou, pois, não tenho dinheiro – I am not going because I don’t have any money.
Não vou sair, pois já é tarde – I am not going out because it’s already late.
Ele não foi ao encontro, pois tinha outro compromisso – He didn’t go to the meeting because he had another obligation.
I hope this has helped you gain more understanding about the word ‘pois’. This is just one of those words that have multiple meanings. Can you think of any words like this one?