Portuguese Phrase
Costuma levar 1-3 dias úteis.
Meaning
It means that something typically takes between one and three business days to be completed or delivered. The phrase emphasizes the usual, not guaranteed, time frame.
When to use
Use this sentence when you need to inform a customer, colleague, or friend about the expected processing or shipping time of a product, document, or service.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Costumalevar1-3diasúteis.
Costuma
Third‑person singular of the verb 'costumar', used to express a habitual or typical action.
levar
Infinitive verb meaning 'to take (time)'. In this construction it follows 'costuma' to indicate the usual duration.
dias úteis
Literally 'useful days', the standard term for 'business days' (Monday‑Friday, excluding holidays).
Numeral range 1‑3
When written with a hyphen, it is read as 'um a três' and indicates an interval.
🗨In Conversation
Quanto tempo leva a entrega?
How long does the delivery take?
Costuma levar 1-3 dias úteis.
It usually takes 1‑3 business days.
✕Common Mistakes
Costuma leva 1-3 dias úteis.
After 'costuma' you need the infinitive 'levar', not the conjugated 'leva'.
Costuma levar 1-3 dias de semana.
'Dias de semana' means 'weekdays' and is not the same as 'dias úteis' which excludes holidays.
Costuma levar 1-3 dias úteis.
When speaking, say 'um a três dias úteis' rather than reading the numerals directly.
↔Alternatives
Normalmente demora de 1 a 3 dias úteis.
It normally takes 1 to 3 business days.
Geralmente leva entre 1 e 3 dias úteis.
It generally takes between 1 and 3 business days.
O prazo costuma ser de 1 a 3 dias úteis.
The deadline is usually 1 to 3 business days.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, 'dias úteis' excludes weekends and public holidays. If a holiday falls within the range, the delivery may be delayed beyond the three‑day estimate. Also, some regions use 'dias corridos' (calendar days) when they want to include weekends.