🚫🚗➡️

How to Say ‘I can't drive in there.’ in Portuguese

Não posso entrar lá com o carro.

nao POH-soo ehn-trahr LAH kohng oo KA-rroo

[nao POH-soo ehn-trahr LAH kohng oo KA-rroo]

💬 Usage Tip: Portuguese says "enter there with the car" where English just says "drive in". entrar com o carro is the everyday way to talk about driving into a place.

Phrase Breakdown

Não posso entrar lá

nao POH-soo ehn-trahr LAH

I can't go in there

'Não' is a nasal 'now'. 'Posso' means 'I can'. In 'entrar' the first 'e' is nasal, and 'lá' is stressed and open.

Example

Não posso entrar lá sem bilhete.

I can't go in there without a ticket.

Words in this phrase

Não

[nao]

not

Used to make a verb negative.

Example

Eu não gosto dessa rota.

I do not like this route.

posso

[POH-soo]

I can

Used to express ability or permission to do something.

Example

Posso fazer uma pergunta?

Can I ask a question?

entrar

[ehn-trahr]

to go in

Verb meaning to go in or enter; in football it can mean for the ball to go in.

Example

Entrar o próximo remate seria perfeito.

For the next shot to go in would be perfect.

lá

[LAH]

There

In or at that place or position.

Example

Estaremos lá às 18h.

We will be there at 6 PM.

com o carro.

kohng oo KA-rroo

with the car.

'Com o' links smoothly into one sound. The 'rr' in 'carro' is guttural.

Example

Cheguei com o carro.

I arrived with the car.

Words in this phrase

com

[kohng]

with

Preposition used to connect an idea to a quality, person, or thing.

Example

Com experiência internacional, o candidato destaca-se mais.

With international experience, the candidate stands out more.

[oo]

the

A masculine singular definite article used before nouns.

Example

O prazer de participar foi grande.

The pleasure of taking part was great.

carro

[KA-rroo]

car

Masculine noun for an automobile.

Example

O meu carro é novo.

My car is new.

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.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Moved to Lisbon with zero Portuguese and honestly thought I’d be pointing at menus forever. Three weeks in and I’m having real conversations with my landlord.”

Priya N., 35, Freelance Designer

“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”

Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager

“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer