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How to Say ‘Sorry, is this seat free?’ in Portuguese

Desculpa, este lugar está livre?

desh-KOOL-pah ESH-tuh loo-GAR eh-STAH LEE-vruh

[desh-KOOL-pah ESH-tuh loo-GAR eh-STAH LEE-vruh]

🇵🇹 In Portugal: Desculpa is the casual form, fine with someone your own age at a bar. With an older stranger or staff, desculpe is safer.

Phrase Breakdown

Desculpa,

desh-KOOL-pah

Excuse me / Sorry

The informal form. The first 'e' is nearly silent: 'dchkúlpa'.

Example

Desculpa, não ouvi.

Sorry, I didn't hear.

Words in this phrase

Desculpa

[desh-KOOL-pah]

sorry / excuse (me)

Informal imperative of 'desculpar', used to apologize to a friend.

Example

Desculpa, não te vi.

Sorry, I didn't see you.

este lugar

ESH-tuh loo-GAR

this seat / this place

'Este' sounds like 'êcht''. 'Lugar' means seat or place.

Example

Gosto deste lugar.

I like this place.

Words in this phrase

este

[ESH-tuh]

this

A demonstrative used for something near the speaker; masculine singular.

Example

Este autocarro vai para o centro?

Does this bus go to the centre?

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?

eh-STAH LEE-vruh

is it free?

'Livre' means free or available. Say it as 'chtá lívr''.

Example

A casa de banho está livre?

Is the bathroom free?

Words in this phrase

está

[eh-STAH]

Used to describe a state or condition, like temporary states or subjective perceptions.

Example

A vizinha comentou que seu cabelo está incrível depois do corte.

The neighbor commented that your hair is amazing after the cut.

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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