Portuguese Phrase
Posso ter mais molho?
Meaning
Literally, ‘Can I have more sauce?’. The speaker is politely asking for an additional portion of sauce, usually in a restaurant or at a meal where sauce is served separately.
When to use
Use this phrase when you’re at a restaurant, a buffet, or a home‑cooked meal and you’d like a second helping of the sauce that accompanies the dish. It works both in casual and slightly formal settings as long as you keep a friendly tone.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Possotermaismolho?
Posso (poder)
First‑person singular present of the verb *poder*, used to ask permission or possibility.
ter (infinitive)
The infinitive form of *ter* ‘to have’; after *posso* it expresses what the speaker would like to obtain.
mais
An adverb meaning ‘more’; placed before the noun it modifies.
molho
A masculine noun meaning ‘sauce’; the object of the request.
🗨In Conversation
Posso ter mais molho?
Can I have more sauce?
Claro, aqui está.
Sure, here you go.
✕Common Mistakes
Posso ter mais molhos?
‘Molhos’ is plural; the request is for an additional portion of the same sauce, so keep it singular.
Poder ter mais molho?
You need the conjugated form *posso* (I can) rather than the infinitive *poder*.
Posso trazer mais molho?
‘Trazer’ means ‘to bring’; the speaker is not the one bringing the sauce, they are requesting it.
↔Alternatives
Pode me trazer mais molho?
Could you bring me more sauce?
Gostaria de mais molho, por favor.
I would like more sauce, please.
Será que posso receber mais molho?
Would it be possible for me to get more sauce?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil it’s common to say ‘por favor’ after the request, especially in more formal restaurants. Waitstaff often anticipate the need for extra sauce and may bring it without being asked, but asking politely never hurts. In the South of Brazil, you’ll hear ‘mais molho, por favor?’ as a shorter, very friendly version.