In 15 Seconds
- Used to agree on plans or suggest making them.
- Means 'we can arrange it' or 'let's do that.'
- Essential for social life and casual business agreements.
Meaning
It translates to 'we can arrange that' or 'let's make it happen.' It is the ultimate social glue used to agree on plans or confirm that you are open to a future suggestion.
Key Examples
3 of 7Agreeing to a coffee date
Podemos combinar um café na sexta-feira.
We can arrange a coffee on Friday.
Texting a friend about a party
Podemos combinar de ir juntos à festa.
We can arrange to go to the party together.
Professional meeting follow-up
Podemos combinar uma reunião para discutir o projeto.
We can arrange a meeting to discuss the project.
Cultural Background
The 'Vamos marcar' culture. Brazilians often use 'podemos combinar' as a social lubricant to avoid saying 'no'. If no specific date is mentioned, don't take it as a firm commitment. In Portugal, 'combinar' is generally more literal. If someone suggests combining a time, they usually have their calendar open and are ready to commit. Similar to Brazil, social arrangements are fluid. 'Combinar' is often used in the context of community events and large family gatherings. In modern tech hubs like São Paulo, 'combinar' is being replaced by 'marcar um call' or 'agendar', reflecting a shift toward more rigid, international business standards.
Seal the deal
Always follow 'Podemos combinar' with a specific time if you actually want the event to happen. Otherwise, it might stay in 'social limbo'.
Nasal Vowels
Make sure to nasalize the 'om' in 'combinar'. If you say it like the English 'combine', it will sound very foreign.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to agree on plans or suggest making them.
- Means 'we can arrange it' or 'let's do that.'
- Essential for social life and casual business agreements.
What It Means
Podemos combinar is your go-to phrase for making plans. In English, we might say "Let's do it" or "We can set that up." The verb combinar literally means to combine, but in Brazil and Portugal, it means to arrange, agree, or schedule. It is the verbal equivalent of a handshake. It signals that you are interested in an idea. It turns a vague suggestion into a potential reality.
How To Use It
You use it as a response to an invitation. If someone suggests coffee, you say Podemos combinar. You can also use it to start a plan. Use it with specific times or keep it vague. It is very flexible. You can say Podemos combinar para as oito (We can arrange for eight). Or just use it as a standalone confirmation. It is the most common way to say "yes" to social proposals.
When To Use It
Use it when you actually want to see someone. It works perfectly for lunch dates or business meetings. Use it when texting friends to confirm a hangout. It is great for the 'follow-up' phase of a conversation. If a colleague suggests a brainstorming session, this phrase is your best friend. It sounds proactive and friendly. It shows you are a person who gets things done.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it if you want to say 'no' immediately. It creates an expectation of a future event. Avoid it in very rigid, legalistic settings. Don't use it for things that don't require 'arranging,' like passing the salt. Also, be careful with 'fake' plans. Brazilians often use it politely without intending to meet. If you are a literal person, this might frustrate you. Only use it if you are okay with the plan being a bit fluid.
Cultural Background
This phrase reflects the flexible nature of time in Lusophone cultures. Plans are rarely set in stone immediately. Podemos combinar acts as a bridge between 'maybe' and 'definitely.' It is part of the social ritual of being agreeable. In Brazil, it is often part of the 'social lie' where people agree to meet but never do. It is called marcar e não ir. It is all about maintaining harmony in the moment.
Common Variations
Vamos combinar: Let's arrange (more proactive).Está combinado: It's a deal / It's settled.Combinado!: Agreed! / Done!A gente combina: We'll arrange it (very informal/common in Brazil).Depois combinamos: We'll arrange it later (often a polite way to procrastinate).
Usage Notes
The phrase is highly versatile across all registers. In Brazil, 'a gente' is often substituted for 'nós' (Podemos) in casual speech, resulting in 'A gente pode combinar'. Be aware that 'combinar' also means 'to match' (clothes/colors).
Seal the deal
Always follow 'Podemos combinar' with a specific time if you actually want the event to happen. Otherwise, it might stay in 'social limbo'.
Nasal Vowels
Make sure to nasalize the 'om' in 'combinar'. If you say it like the English 'combine', it will sound very foreign.
The 'Combinado' Response
If someone suggests a time, just say 'Combinado!' It makes you sound very fluent and decisive.
Examples
7Podemos combinar um café na sexta-feira.
We can arrange a coffee on Friday.
A classic way to suggest a specific day.
Podemos combinar de ir juntos à festa.
We can arrange to go to the party together.
Using 'de' after the phrase links it to an action.
Podemos combinar uma reunião para discutir o projeto.
We can arrange a meeting to discuss the project.
Standard professional usage for scheduling.
Com certeza, podemos combinar qualquer dia destes!
For sure, we can arrange it any of these days!
The 'any of these days' makes it a classic polite (but vague) Brazilian plan.
Podemos combinar de jantar fora hoje?
Can we arrange to eat out tonight?
Used as a question to seek agreement.
Podemos combinar que você nunca mais cozinha?
Can we agree that you will never cook again?
Using the phrase to set a humorous 'rule'.
Podemos combinar de conversar com mais calma amanhã.
We can arrange to talk more calmly tomorrow.
Used to defer a heavy conversation to a better time.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrase to suggest a meeting.
Oi Maria! ______ de almoçar amanhã?
The phrase 'Podemos combinar de [verb]' is the standard way to suggest an action.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: 'Vamos ao parque às 10h?' B: '_______! Vejo você lá.'
'Combinado!' is the perfect one-word response to agree to a specific time/place.
Match the sentence to the correct context.
Sentence: 'Podemos combinar as cores da festa.'
Here 'combinar' is used in its literal sense of matching colors.
Which sentence is the most polite way to suggest a meeting to a new colleague?
The conditional 'Poderíamos' adds a layer of politeness suitable for a professional setting.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesOi Maria! ______ de almoçar amanhã?
The phrase 'Podemos combinar de [verb]' is the standard way to suggest an action.
A: 'Vamos ao parque às 10h?' B: '_______! Vejo você lá.'
'Combinado!' is the perfect one-word response to agree to a specific time/place.
Sentence: 'Podemos combinar as cores da festa.'
Here 'combinar' is used in its literal sense of matching colors.
The conditional 'Poderíamos' adds a layer of politeness suitable for a professional setting.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with friends, but also with your boss or a client. It's very versatile.
Yes! 'Essa camisa combina com essa calça' (This shirt matches these pants).
'Marcar' is more like 'to mark on the calendar' (official), while 'combinar' is 'to agree together' (social).
Just say 'Combinado!'
No, the phrase 'podemos combinar' stays the same regardless of gender.
It's rare. Usually, you use 'nós podemos' or 'a gente pode' because arranging something requires two people.
Yes, it is very common in Portugal, though they might use 'ficar combinado' more often to finalize.
Say 'Não podemos combinar isso agora' or 'Fica difícil combinar agora'.
Yes, 'Vinho tinto combina com carne' (Red wine goes well with meat).
No, it's standard Portuguese, but very common in casual conversation.
Related Phrases
Combinado!
specialized formDeal! / Agreed!
Marcar algo
synonymTo schedule something.
Acertar os detalhes
builds onTo fix/finalize the details.
Dar um jeito
similarTo find a way.
