Ask a Professor for a Recommendation Letter in Portuguese
A respectful request gives the professor time to decide and provides the details needed to prepare a useful reference.
Real Life Portuguese · 6 min read · Updated October 15, 2026
The short answer
Carta de recomendação is a recommendation letter. Ask whether the professor feels comfortable writing one: Você se sentiria à vontade para escrever…? This gives the person a genuine option to say no.
Make a polite request with room to decline
Remind them which class, research project, or semester you shared. Do not assume that a professor can provide a reference on short notice.
Você se sentiria à vontade para escrever uma carta de recomendação para mim?
Would you feel comfortable writing a recommendation letter for me?
Fui aluno da sua disciplina de linguística no semestre passado.
I was a student in your linguistics course last semester. (speaker: man)
Explain the opportunity and deadline
Name the program, scholarship, or position and give the exact date the letter is due. Ask what submission method the organization requires, then share its instructions with the professor.
Give as much notice as you reasonably can. The professor may need to decline if the timing does not allow a thoughtful letter.
A inscrição é para um programa de mestrado em educação.
The application is for a master's program in education.
A carta precisa ser enviada até 15 de novembro.
The letter needs to be submitted by November 15.
Offer a concise packet of useful information
Offer your CV, a short summary of your goals, and any work from the professor's course that may help them remember your contributions. Ask what else they would find useful.
Send the files through an appropriate channel and confirm that the professor has the correct submission link or contact details.
Posso enviar meu currículo e um resumo dos meus objetivos?
May I send my CV and a summary of my goals?
Que outras informações seriam úteis para você?
What other information would be useful for you?
Put it into practice
Ask with enough notice, provide the opportunity and deadline, and let the professor decide whether they can write the reference.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “The application is for a master's program in education”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
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