Portuguese Phrase
Pode levar entre 1 e 3 dias úteis.
Meaning
The sentence tells the listener that something (a delivery, a process, a service) may require anywhere from one to three business days to be completed. It emphasizes a possible time window rather than an exact date.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to give a realistic time estimate in customer‑service, shipping, banking, or any situation where the exact day can vary but you want to set clear expectations.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Podelevarentre1e3diasúteis
Poder (pode)
Third‑person singular of the verb poder, used to express possibility or ability.
Levar (infinitive)
When poder is followed by another verb, the second verb stays in the infinitive.
Entre … e …
A fixed construction to indicate a range; both the preposition entre and the conjunction e are required.
Dias úteis
Literally “useful days”; refers to business days (Monday‑Friday, excluding holidays).
🗨In Conversation
Quanto tempo leva para receber o documento?
How long does it take to receive the document?
Pode levar entre 1 e 3 dias úteis.
It can take between 1 and 3 business days.
✕Common Mistakes
Pode levar entre 1 e 3 dias.
Leaving out "úteis" changes the meaning to calendar days, which can be misleading.
Pode levar entre 1 a 3 dias úteis.
The correct preposition after "entre" is "e", not "a".
Pode levar 1 a 3 dias úteis.
While understandable, the more natural construction uses "entre" or "de"; omitting the preposition sounds informal.
↔Alternatives
O prazo é de 1 a 3 dias úteis.
The deadline is 1 to 3 business days.
Demora de 1 a 3 dias úteis.
It takes 1 to 3 business days.
Pode demorar entre um e três dias úteis.
It may take between one and three business days.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, "dias úteis" excludes weekends and public holidays. When you promise a delivery in "dias úteis," customers expect the count to start on the next business day after the order is processed, not on Saturday or Sunday.