Portuguese Phrase
Patricia não está disponível agora.
Meaning
The sentence tells the listener that Patricia cannot be reached or is busy at this very moment. It emphasizes a temporary situation rather than a permanent characteristic.
When to use
Use this phrase when someone asks for Patricia’s whereabouts, wants to speak with her, or needs to know if she can take a call or meet right now.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Patricianãoestádisponívelagora
Negation (não)
‘não’ is placed before the verb to make the sentence negative.
Estar vs. Ser
‘está’ (from estar) is used for temporary states; use ‘é’ (from ser) for permanent traits.
Adjective agreement
‘disponível’ does not change with gender or number, so it stays the same for both masculine and feminine subjects.
Adverb of time (agora)
‘agora’ means ‘now’ and usually appears at the end of the clause.
🗨In Conversation
Você pode falar com a Patricia?
Can you talk to Patricia?
Patricia não está disponível agora.
Patricia is not available right now.
✕Common Mistakes
Patricia não é disponível agora.
Use ‘está’ (estar) for temporary conditions; ‘é’ (ser) would imply a permanent trait.
Patricia não está agora disponível.
Placing ‘agora’ before the verb can sound unnatural; it usually comes at the end.
Patricia está disponível agora.
Omitting ‘não’ flips the meaning to ‘Patricia is available now.’
↔Alternatives
Patricia está ocupada agora.
Patricia is busy right now.
Patricia não pode falar agora.
Patricia can't talk right now.
Patricia está indisponível no momento.
Patricia is unavailable at the moment.
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian Portuguese, saying someone ‘não está disponível’ is a polite way to indicate they’re busy or cannot be reached. It’s often used in professional settings or when you want to be courteous. For informal chats, Brazilians may simply say ‘ela está ocupada’ or ‘não dá pra falar agora.’