Portuguese Phrase
Cancela pelo menos 24 horas antes.
Meaning
This sentence is a direct instruction telling someone to cancel a reservation, appointment, or service at least a full day before the scheduled time, so that no penalty is applied.
When to use
Use it when you are reminding a client, friend, or colleague about a cancellation policy, especially for hotels, flights, restaurants, or any booking that requires a 24‑hour notice.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Cancelapelomenos24horasantes.
Imperative of cancelar
Cancela is the informal singular imperative (tu) of the verb cancelar, used to give a direct command or suggestion.
Pelo menos
The fixed expression pelo menos means “at least” and is placed before the quantity it modifies.
Numerical expression
When a number is expressed in words, it can stay as a numeral (24) and is followed by the noun it quantifies (horas).
Adverb antes
Antes works as an adverb meaning “before”; when combined with a time reference it forms a phrase meaning “in advance”.
🗨In Conversation
Preciso mudar a reserva para amanhã.
I need to change the reservation for tomorrow.
Cancela pelo menos 24 horas antes para não cobrar a taxa de cancelamento.
Cancel at least 24 hours in advance so they don’t charge a cancellation fee.
✕Common Mistakes
Cancela 24 horas menos antes.
The word “menos” must be preceded by “pelo” to form the idiom “pelo menos”.
Cancela pelo menos 24 horas antes de.
When you use “antes de” you need a noun after it; the correct adverbial form here is just “antes”.
Cancela a sua reserva, senhor.
When speaking formally to a stranger, use the formal imperative “cancele”.
↔Alternatives
Cancele com pelo menos 24 horas de antecedência.
Cancel with at least 24 hours’ notice.
Faça o cancelamento no mínimo 24 horas antes.
Make the cancellation at least 24 hours beforehand.
Desista da reserva com 24 horas de antecedência.
Give up the reservation with 24‑hour notice.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil most hotels, airlines, and restaurants have a 24‑hour cancellation policy. Saying the phrase politely (using the formal “cancele” instead of “cancela”) is preferred when speaking to strangers or service staff. In informal contexts among friends, the shorter “cancela” works fine.