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How to Say ‘Is this seat free?’ in Portuguese

Este lugar está livre?

ESH-tuh loo-GAR esh-TAH LEE-vruh

[ESH-tuh loo-GAR esh-TAH LEE-vruh]

Phrase Breakdown

Este lugar

ESH-tuh loo-GAR

This seat / this place

'Este' sounds like 'ESHT', with the final 'e' almost silent. 'Lugar' is stressed on the last syllable: 'loo-GAR'.

Example

Este lugar é bonito.

This place is beautiful.

Words in this phrase

Este

[ESH-tuh]

this

Masculine demonstrative used with masculine nouns like 'caminho'.

Example

Este trajeto parece estranho.

This route seems strange.

lugar

[loo-GAR]

seat / place / spot

Means “place/spot”; in transport it often means a seat.

Example

O lugar ao lado da janela no elétrico está livre.

The seat next to the window on the tram is free.

está livre?

esh-TAH LEE-vruh

is free / available?

'Está' is stressed at the end and sounds like 'shTAH'. 'Livre' sounds like 'LEE-vruh'. Raise your voice at the end for the question.

Example

A mesa está livre?

Is the table free?

Words in this phrase

está

[esh-TAH]

A form of 'estar' used for a temporary state or situation.

Example

A tarifa está acima do normal.

The fare is above normal.

livre

[LEE-vruh]

free; available; unoccupied

Used to say something is available/unoccupied (a seat on the tram/train).

Example

Este lugar está livre, pode sentar-se.

This seat is free, you can sit down.

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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