How to Say ‘Does this seat already have someone?’ in Portuguese
Este lugar já tem dono?
ESH-tuh loo-GAR ZHAH teng DOH-noo
[ESH-tuh loo-GAR ZHAH teng DOH-noo]
🇵🇹 In Portugal: This is playful and common at a bar when asking if a seat is free. Because it's slightly cheeky, it lands best with a smile; in a very formal setting, a plainer question would sound safer.
Phrase Breakdown
Este lugar
ESH-tuh loo-GAR
This place / This seat
Refers to a specific place or seat nearby.
Este lugar está livre?
Is this place free?
Words in this phrase
Este
[ESH-tuh]
this
Points to a nearby seat or spot in a direct but natural way.
Este lugar já tem dono ou ainda posso tentar a minha sorte?
Does this seat already belong to someone or can I still try my luck?
lugar
[loo-GAR]
place / seat / spot
Refers to the physical spot, often the seat beside someone you want to approach.
Este lugar já tem dono ou estás à espera de companhia interessante?
Is this seat taken already or are you waiting for interesting company?
já
[ZHAH]
already
Adds the idea of whether something is taken by now or not.
Este lugar já tem dono ou cheguei mesmo a tempo?
Is this seat already taken or did I arrive just in time?
Tem dono
teng DOH-noo
Has an owner / is taken
Means the place belongs to someone or is not available.
Esse lugar tem dono.
That place is taken.
Words in this phrase
tem
[teng]
has / is there
Used to ask if the place is already claimed or occupied.
Este lugar já tem dono ou ainda está disponível para conversa boa?
Does this seat already have an owner or is it still available for good conversation?
dono
[DOH-noo]
owner / someone claiming it
Playfully suggests that the seat may already belong to someone.
Este lugar já tem dono ou posso negociar com esse sorriso?
Does this seat already have an owner or can I negotiate with that smile?
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