Portuguese Phrase
Posso ter um aviso de recebimento?
Meaning
The speaker is asking whether they can obtain a return‑receipt service for a piece of mail or a package. It is a polite request for a proof‑of‑delivery document that the postal service will sign when the item is delivered.
When to use
Use this sentence when you are at a post office, speaking with a courier, or filling out a shipping form and you need confirmation that the recipient actually received the item. It is appropriate in both formal and semi‑formal contexts, especially for legal documents, invoices, or important correspondence.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Possoterumavisoderecebimento?
Posso (poder)
First‑person singular present indicative of poder, used to ask for permission or possibility.
ter (infinitive)
Infinitive verb meaning “to have”. After poder, the infinitive expresses the action you want to do.
um (indefinite article)
Masculine singular article that introduces a countable noun.
aviso de recebimento
A fixed noun phrase meaning “return receipt” (proof of delivery).
Question formation
In Portuguese, a yes‑no question can be formed by keeping the statement order and adding a rising intonation (or a question mark in writing). No subject‑verb inversion is required.
🗨In Conversation
Posso ter um aviso de recebimento?
Can I have a return receipt?
Claro, isso tem um custo adicional de R$ 2,50.
Sure, that costs an extra R$ 2.50.
✕Common Mistakes
Posso receber um aviso de recebimento?
Using "receber" changes the meaning to “receive a receipt” instead of requesting the service.
Posso ter um recebimento?
"Recebimento" alone means “receipt of something”, not the specific service.
Pode ter um aviso de recebimento?
The correct modal verb is "posso" (I can) when asking for permission; "pode ter" would be third‑person.
↔Alternatives
Pode me dar um aviso de recebimento?
Could you give me a return receipt?
Gostaria de solicitar um aviso de recebimento.
I would like to request a return receipt.
É possível incluir um aviso de recebimento?
Is it possible to include a return receipt?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, the service is known as “aviso de recebimento” (AR) and is offered by Correios and most private couriers. It is commonly used for contracts, invoices, and any document that may need legal proof of delivery. When asking for it, keep a polite tone; the phrase is considered formal enough for written requests on shipping forms.