Portuguese for a Client Discovery Call: Goals and Questions
Use open questions and brief summaries to understand what a prospective client needs before discussing a project proposal.
Real Life Portuguese · 7 min read · Updated October 15, 2026
The short answer
A discovery call can be called uma conversa inicial or uma reunião de diagnóstico, depending on the context. Start by confirming how much time you have and what the client hopes to cover.
Open the call and set an agenda
Use primeiro, depois, and no final to explain a simple agenda. If the client would rather begin with another topic, adjust the order together.
Temos meia hora. O que é mais importante conversarmos hoje?
We have half an hour. What is most important for us to discuss today?
Primeiro quero entender o objetivo; depois, podemos falar das opções.
First I want to understand the goal; then we can talk about options.
Ask about the current situation and constraints
Use desafio for challenge, prioridade for priority, and prazo for deadline or timeframe. Ask what is already working and what is getting in the way before suggesting a change.
To soften a question about a limitation, try Existe alguma restrição de prazo ou orçamento? The client can explain what needs to fit the project.
Qual é o maior desafio neste momento?
What is the biggest challenge right now?
Existe algum prazo importante que precisamos considerar?
Is there an important deadline we need to consider?
Summarize what you heard before proposing work
Use Então, se entendi bem… (So, if I understood correctly…) before summarizing the client's goal and constraint. This invites a correction while the details are still being discussed.
Ask the client to confirm which outcome matters most. A proposal should respond to what the client said, not to an assumption you have not checked.
Então, se entendi bem, a prioridade é reduzir o tempo de atendimento.
So, if I understood correctly, the priority is to reduce customer response time.
Faltou alguma coisa importante nesse resumo?
Is anything important missing from this summary?
Put it into practice
Ask about goals, constraints, and priorities, then summarize the client's needs before offering a solution.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “We have half an hour. What is most important for us to discuss today”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
Build on this guide with everyday expressions and native Brazilian audio. Choose iPhone, Android, or the web app.