Portuguese Phrase
Quer deixar uma mensagem?
Meaning
A polite question that means ‘Do you want to leave a message?’ It is used when the person you’re speaking to is unavailable or when you’re offering to take a note for someone else.
When to use
Use this phrase on the phone, at a reception desk, or in any situation where you’re offering to record a message for someone who cannot answer right away. It works in both formal and informal contexts, though a softer tone is preferred in formal settings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Querdeixarumamensagem?
Quer (2nd person singular)
‘Quer’ is the present indicative of ‘querer’ for ‘tu/você’, used to ask politely if someone wants something.
Infinitive after ‘quer’
When ‘querer’ is followed by another verb, the second verb stays in the infinitive (deixar).
Indefinite article ‘uma’
‘uma’ is the feminine singular indefinite article that agrees with ‘mensagem’.
Question mark
In Portuguese, the interrogative sentence is marked only with the final ‘?’, but the intonation rises.
🗨In Conversation
Quer deixar uma mensagem?
Do you want to leave a message?
Sim, por favor. Diga que eu retornarei assim que possível.
Yes, please. Tell them I’ll get back as soon as possible.
✕Common Mistakes
Queres deixar uma mensagem?
‘Queres’ is the informal ‘tu’ form; most Brazilians use ‘você’, so ‘quer’ is the natural choice.
Quer deixa uma mensagem?
After ‘quer’, the following verb must stay in infinitive; ‘deixa’ is a conjugated form.
Quer deixar um mensagem?
‘Mensagem’ is feminine, so the article must be ‘uma’, not ‘um’.
↔Alternatives
Deseja deixar um recado?
Would you like to leave a note?
Quer deixar um recado?
Do you want to leave a note?
Gostaria de deixar uma mensagem?
Would you like to leave a message?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil it’s common to ask this when the intended recipient is not present, especially in offices, hotels, and on telephone answering services. Using ‘quer’ (instead of the more formal ‘deseja’) sounds friendly and approachable, but in very formal business settings you might prefer ‘Deseja deixar uma mensagem?’. Also, remember to keep a polite tone; a harsh or rushed delivery can be perceived as rude.