À-vontade is a beautiful Portuguese expression that means 'at ease' or 'comfortable'. It describes a state of natural comfort and freedom, often in social situations.
In the song, Paulo Sousa sings, "Num segundo perde-se o à-vontade" (In a second, the comfort is lost). This phrase powerfully conveys the sudden disappearance of ease and intimacy in a relationship, making it a poignant and memorable word choice.
Picture a film that freezes on a single frame just as the hero is about to lose it all. Num Segundo (“In a Second”) captures that exact heartbeat, with Paulo Sousa singing about how love, certainty and even his own voice vanish in the space of one breath. As the clocks seem to stop yet the hours race by, he realises that the hands which once held his partner’s heart are now empty, and a split-second decision has tipped him into an emotional free-fall.
Beneath the catchy hook is a reminder that time never gives refunds. The song urges us to treasure every laugh, every touch and every “I love you,” because once the moment is gone, it may never loop back. Paulo’s lyrics blend urgency and vulnerability, turning a Portuguese pop ballad into a vivid lesson on how fragile both time and affection can be—so hold on tight, before your own segundo slips away.