não boa notícia

You usually place this at the very start of a sentence. Think of it as a header for your bad news. You can say Tenho uma notícia não muito boa to be even softer. Or simply Não são boas notícias if there are multiple issues. It works perfectly with the verb ser (to be) or ter (to have). Just state the phrase and follow it with the word mas (but) to explain.

Use it whenever the outcome is less than ideal. It works at the mechanic when your car needs a pricey part. Use it at work when a deadline is missed. It’s great for personal life too. Maybe you can’t make it to a birthday party. It shows you care about the impact of your words. It’s a very human way to communicate.

Don't use this for absolute tragedies. If something truly devastating happened, this phrase feels too casual or 'light.' Also, avoid it if the news is actually good but you're joking. Portuguese speakers might find that confusing rather than funny. Don't use it if you are the one who caused the problem and are trying to hide. It requires a level of honesty.

Portuguese speakers value 'simpatia' and avoiding direct confrontation. We rarely just blurt out bad news without a 'buffer.' This phrase serves as that cultural cushion. It’s part of the 'jeitinho' of handling social interactions smoothly. We prefer to wrap the bad news in a layer of politeness. It’s about maintaining the relationship even when the news is bad.

You will often hear Más notícias (Bad news) which is more direct. Another common one is Tenho uma notícia ruim. If you want to be very gentle, try Não trago boas notícias. In texting, people might just say Ih, notícia ruim.... Each variation changes the 'temperature' of the conversation slightly. Choose the one that fits your comfort level.