How to Call in Sick at Work in Brazilian Portuguese
Use a brief, clear message to report that you are unwell without sharing more personal details than you want to.
Real Life Portuguese · 5 min read · Updated October 15, 2026
The short answer
A useful absence message says what the team needs to know: you are unwell, you cannot work or will have limited availability, and you will follow the workplace's normal process. You do not have to describe private symptoms in a group chat.
State that you cannot work today
Use não vou conseguir trabalhar hoje (I will not be able to work today) for a clear statement. If you may be able to check messages later, say that only if it is realistic.
Bom dia. Estou doente e não vou conseguir trabalhar hoje.
Good morning. I’m sick and won’t be able to work today.
Acordei passando mal e preciso descansar.
I woke up feeling unwell and need to rest.
Hoje vou ficar indisponível para as reuniões.
I’ll be unavailable for meetings today.
Ask how to register the absence
Workplaces have different procedures for notifying a manager, recording an absence, or sharing documentation. Ask what your own organization requires instead of assuming one policy applies everywhere.
You can keep the question short and send it through the channel your team normally uses. If the process is already clear, follow it and avoid sending the same private details to a large group.
Qual é o procedimento para registrar minha ausência?
What is the procedure for recording my absence?
Preciso avisar mais alguém da equipe?
Do I need to notify anyone else on the team?
Você pode me informar se preciso enviar algum documento?
Could you let me know whether I need to send any documentation?
Hand off urgent work without promising too much
If one task cannot wait, identify the file or next step and ask whether someone can cover it. You can offer a brief handoff if you are able, but do not promise to work while you need to rest.
Separate a useful work note from health details. A teammate may only need to know where a draft is saved, which customer is waiting, or when a meeting needs to be moved.
O relatório está na pasta compartilhada, na versão de ontem.
The report is in the shared folder, in yesterday’s version.
A reunião das dez talvez precise ser remarcada.
The ten o’clock meeting may need to be rescheduled.
Se for urgente, a Camila tem o contexto do projeto.
If it is urgent, Camila has the project context.
Share an update when you know what is realistic
If your availability changes, send a concise follow-up. Use assim que eu tiver uma previsão (as soon as I have an estimate) rather than guessing when you will feel better or return.
These phrases help with workplace communication; follow the guidance from your employer or healthcare professional for your individual situation.
Aviso você assim que tiver uma previsão de retorno.
I’ll let you know as soon as I have an estimate for returning.
Ainda não sei se estarei disponível amanhã.
I don’t know yet whether I’ll be available tomorrow.
Obrigada pela compreensão. Vou descansar hoje.
Thank you for understanding. I’m going to rest today.
Put it into practice
Report your availability, ask about the workplace process, and share only the work details the team needs.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Could you let me know whether I need to send any documentation”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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