Tell a Client About a Project Delay in Portuguese
Send a clear update when a project is delayed: state the impact, explain what you are doing, and offer a realistic new date.
Real Life Portuguese · 6 min read · Updated October 15, 2026
The short answer
Atraso means delay, and nova previsão is a revised estimate. Tell the client as soon as you know the original date is at risk. Keep the first sentence clear rather than burying the update in a long explanation.
State the delay directly and early
If you know the reason and it is relevant, explain it briefly. Focus on the work and next step rather than blaming another person.
Quero avisar que a entrega vai atrasar dois dias.
I want to let you know that delivery will be delayed by two days.
Estou esperando a aprovação da etapa anterior.
I'm waiting for approval of the previous stage.
Give a realistic next date and milestone
Use até + date to give a completion estimate: Envio a versão revisada até quinta-feira. If the date is not certain, say that you will confirm it by a specific time instead of inventing a promise.
Name what the client can expect at the next milestone, such as a draft, a review link, or a status update.
Posso enviar a primeira versão até quarta-feira?
Can I send the first version by Wednesday?
Confirmo a nova data até as três da tarde.
I'll confirm the new date by three in the afternoon.
Ask whether the revised plan works
After sharing the new plan, ask whether the date still meets the client's needs. If it does not, discuss which deliverable matters most and what can be moved.
Summarize the revised plan in writing so the updated date is easy to find later.
Essa nova data funciona para vocês?
Does this new date work for you?
Se a apresentação for prioridade, posso adiantar essa etapa.
If the presentation is the priority, I can move that stage forward.
Put it into practice
Tell the client early, give a realistic next date, and check whether the revised plan still meets their priority.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “If the presentation is the priority, I can move that stage forward”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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