Portuguese Phrase

Não, às vezes compro o café da manhã.

/nɐ̃w, aˈz ˈve.zɨs ˈkõ.pɾu u kaˈfe dɐ ˈma.ɲɐ/

Meaning"No, sometimes I buy breakfast."

💡

Meaning

The speaker is refusing something and then explains that, on occasion, they buy breakfast instead of preparing it themselves. It conveys a habit that is not constant but happens from time to time.

🎯

When to use

Use this sentence when answering a suggestion or question about your breakfast routine, especially to indicate that you usually don’t buy breakfast but you do it occasionally.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Nãoàs vezescomproocafédamanhã

Negation – Não

Use 'Não' at the start of a sentence to negate a statement or answer a yes/no question.

Adverbial phrase – às vezes

‘às vezes’ means ‘sometimes’; note the grave accent on ‘às’ which contracts ‘a + as’.

Verb – compro

First‑person singular present of ‘comprar’ (to buy). No subject pronoun is needed because the verb ending –o marks ‘eu’.

Set phrase – o café da manhã

The standard expression for ‘breakfast’; ‘da’ is the contraction of ‘de + a’.

🗨In Conversation

Você costuma preparar o café da manhã em casa?

Do you usually prepare breakfast at home?

Não, às vezes compro o café da manhã.

No, sometimes I buy breakfast.

✕Common Mistakes

Não, as vezes compro o café da manhã.
Missing grave accent; the correct form is ‘às vezes’.
Não, às vezes compro café da manhã.
The article ‘o’ is required before the set phrase in this context.
Não, às vezes eu compro o café da manhã.
If you want to emphasize the act of buying, you can add ‘eu’, but it’s optional; omitting it is more natural.

↔Alternatives

Não, às vezes peço o café da manhã.
No, sometimes I order breakfast.
Não, às vezes compro o lanche da manhã.
No, sometimes I buy a morning snack.
Não, às vezes levo o café da manhã pronto.
No, sometimes I take ready‑made breakfast.

Cultural Tip

In Brazil, ‘café da manhã’ is usually a light meal – coffee, pão de queijo, fruit, or a small sandwich. Buying it often means stopping at a bakery, a street vendor, or a fast‑food place. Using ‘compro’ signals you prefer a ready‑made option rather than cooking at home, which can be a practical choice for busy mornings.