Portuguese Phrase
Agora podemos pedir a sobremesa.
Meaning
The sentence tells the listener that, at this moment, the speakers have the possibility to order the dessert. It is often said after the main course has been finished.
When to use
Use it in a restaurant when the waiter asks if you’d like something else, or when you want to signal to your dining companions that it’s time to think about dessert.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Agorapodemospedirasobremesa.
Agora (adverb)
Indicates the present moment, similar to 'now' in English.
Podemos (verbo poder)
First‑person plural present of 'poder' meaning 'we can' or 'we are able to'.
Pedir (infinitivo)
The infinitive verb that follows a modal verb like 'poder' and means 'to order' or 'to ask for'.
A (artigo definido)
Feminine singular definite article that agrees with 'sobremesa'.
Sobremesa (substantivo)
A feminine noun meaning 'dessert'.
🗨In Conversation
Já terminaram o prato principal?
Have you finished the main dish?
Sim, agora podemos pedir a sobremesa.
Yes, now we can order dessert.
✕Common Mistakes
Agora pode pedir a sobremesa.
Use the plural form 'podemos' when speaking for a group.
Agora podemos pedir sobremesa.
The definite article 'a' is required before a feminine singular noun.
Podemos agora pedir a sobremesa agora.
Repeating 'agora' is redundant; place it only once at the beginning or after the verb.
↔Alternatives
Agora podemos escolher a sobremesa.
Now we can choose the dessert.
Podemos pedir a sobremesa agora?
Can we order the dessert now?
É hora de pedir a sobremesa.
It’s time to order dessert.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, dessert is often optional and many restaurants will bring a small sweet (like a fruit salad or a brigadeiro) after the meal. If you want a more elaborate dessert, you usually have to ask for it explicitly, which makes the phrase very handy. Also, note that "sobremesa" can refer both to the dish itself and to the act of having dessert.