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How to Say ‘Can we use 'tu' with each other?’ in Portuguese

Podemos tratar-nos por tu?

poh-DAY-moosh truh-TAR-noosh poor too

[poh-DAY-moosh truh-TAR-noosh poor too]

🇵🇹 In Portugal: Strangers in Portugal usually start out formal, so offering to switch to tu signals you'd like things to be friendlier. It's a warm, slightly bold step, and it suits a flirty chat.

Phrase Breakdown

Podemos

[poh-DAY-moosh]

we can

First person plural of poder, used to suggest possibilities or make collaborative proposals.

Example

Podemos falar depois do evento.

We can talk after the event.

tratar-nos por tu?

truh-TAR-noosh poor too

use 'tu' with each other?

'Tratar por tu' means switching from the formal 'você' to the informal 'tu'. 'Nos' means 'each other'.

Example

Podes tratar-me por tu.

You can call me 'tu'.

Words in this phrase

tratar-nos

[truh-TAR-noosh]

to address each other

Verb 'tratar' (to treat, address) with 'nos' (each other/us); 'tratar por tu' means to use informal 'you'.

Example

Vamos tratar-nos pelo nome.

Let's call each other by first name.

por

[poor]

as, by (form of address)

In 'tratar por', it indicates the form of address used with someone.

Example

Trata-me por Ana.

Call me Ana.

[too]

you (informal)

Informal singular 'you', used with friends and family in Portugal.

Example

Tu gostas de futebol?

Do you like football?

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

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