How to Say “Would You Mind?” in Portuguese: Se Importa Se…
A practical pattern for checking whether an action would bother someone before you do it.
Real Life Portuguese · 5 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Você se importa se…? means “Would you mind if…?” or “Do you mind if…?” It is a polite way to check before opening a window, taking a seat, or changing a plan.
Use se importa se before an action you are considering
After se, Brazilian Portuguese commonly uses the present subjunctive for a possible action: se eu abrir, se eu sentar, se eu ligar. Learn the question with a real action you might ask about.
Você se importa se eu abrir a janela?
Would you mind if I opened the window?
Se importa se eu sentar aqui?
Do you mind if I sit here?
Você se importa se eu ligar o ventilador?
Would you mind if I turned on the fan?
Notice the difference between “mind” and “not mind”
A common reply is Não me importo, meaning “I don’t mind.” If someone says Me importo, they mean that it does bother them; listen for the negative word não.
In a real conversation, a short answer may need a follow-up: Pode, claro (Sure, go ahead) or Prefiro que não (I’d rather you didn’t). Tone and context help you understand the response.
— Você se importa se eu fechar a porta? — Não, pode fechar.
— Do you mind if I close the door? — No, go ahead.
— Se importa se eu usar esta cadeira? — Prefiro que não; estou esperando alguém.
— Do you mind if I use this chair? — I’d rather you didn’t; I’m saving it for someone.
Pode deixar a janela aberta, não me importo.
You can leave the window open; I don’t mind.
Use a softer phrase when the request is an inconvenience
If you are asking for a larger change, add por favor or explain why. You can also use Seria um problema se…? (Would it be a problem if…?) when you want to sound more tentative.
These phrases ask about the other person’s comfort; they do not automatically grant permission. Wait for the response before acting when the choice affects someone else.
Seria um problema se eu chegasse dez minutos mais tarde?
Would it be a problem if I arrived ten minutes later?
Você se importa se a gente trocar de lugar?
Would you mind if we switched seats?
Você se importa de me explicar essa parte de novo?
Would you mind explaining this part again?
Put it into practice
Use Você se importa se…? to check before doing something. Listen for não in the reply, and give the other person room to say what works for them.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Would it be a problem if I arrived ten minutes later”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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