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How to Say ‘Who stays, stays, who left, goes goes’ in Portuguese

Quem ficar, ficou, quem foi, vai vai

KENG fee-KAR fee-KOO KENG foj vaj vaj

[KENG fee-KAR fee-KOO KENG foj vaj vaj]

💬 Usage Tip: After quem, Portuguese often uses ficar for a general "whoever stays": quem ficar. In quem foi, foi is from ir here, so it means "whoever went / left," not "who was."

Phrase Breakdown

Quem ficar, ficou

KENG fee-KAR fee-KOO

Words in this phrase

Quem

[KENG]

Whoever

Used to refer to an unspecified person or people.

Example

Quem ficar verá.

Whoever stays will see.

ficar

[fee-KAR]

stay

Remain in the same place.

Example

Precisamos ficar unidos.

We need to stay united.

ficou

[fee-KOO]

stayed

Past form of 'stay', indicating remaining in the same place.

Example

Quem ficou fez a diferença.

Whoever stayed made a difference.

Quem foi, vai vai

KENG foj vaj vaj

Words in this phrase

quem

[KENG]

who

Used to ask or talk about which person or people.

Example

Quem sabe, explica.

Who knows, explains.

foi

[foj]

went

Past form of 'go', indicating movement from one place to another.

Example

Quem foi já voltou.

Whoever went has already returned.

vai

[vaj]

Repeat for emphasis on the action of going.

Example

Vai vai, sem parar.

Go go, without stopping.

vai

[vaj]

Repeat for emphasis on the action of going.

Example

Vai vai, sem parar.

Go go, without stopping.

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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