Portuguese Phrase
Posso sair mais cedo hoje?
Meaning
A polite request asking whether the speaker may leave work, class, or another activity earlier than usual on the current day. It conveys respect for the listener’s authority while stating the speaker’s need.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to leave a job, school, meeting, or any scheduled activity before the usual end time. It works in both formal (e.g., speaking to a manager) and informal (e.g., speaking to a teacher) contexts, as long as you keep a courteous tone.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Possosairmaiscedohoje?
Posso (poder)
First‑person singular present of the modal verb *poder* meaning ‘can / may’, used to ask permission.
sair (infinitive)
The infinitive form of the verb *sair* ‘to leave / to go out’, placed after *posso*.
mais cedo (comparative adverb)
Literally ‘more early’; the usual way to say ‘earlier’ in Portuguese.
hoje (adverb of time)
Means ‘today’; placed at the end of the sentence for emphasis.
Question mark
In Portuguese, the interrogative sentence is marked only with the final ‘?’, unlike English which uses a rising intonation only.
🗨In Conversation
Posso sair mais cedo hoje?
Can I leave earlier today?
Claro, só avise o resto da equipe.
Sure, just let the rest of the team know.
✕Common Mistakes
Pode sair mais cedo hoje?
‘Pode’ is third‑person singular; you need the first‑person form *posso* when you are the one asking.
Posso sair mais antes hoje?
Learners sometimes replace it with *mais cedo* → *mais cedo* is correct; *mais antes* is not used.
Hoje, posso sair mais cedo?
Placing *hoje* at the beginning can sound unnatural; keep it at the end for emphasis.
↔Alternatives
Será que posso sair mais cedo hoje?
I wonder if I can leave earlier today?
Posso sair antes hoje?
Can I leave before today?
Posso ir embora mais cedo hoje?
Can I go home earlier today?
Será que consigo sair mais cedo hoje?
Would I be able to leave earlier today?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, asking permission with *posso* is considered polite, but it’s common to add a softener such as *será que* or *por favor* to sound even more courteous. Also, note that “mais cedo” is the standard way to say ‘earlier’; using *antes* alone can sound abrupt unless the context is very clear.