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How to Say ‘Will you stay at the counter or would you prefer the terrace?’ in Portuguese

Fica ao balcão ou prefere a esplanada?

FEE-kuh ow bahl-KOWNG oh preh-FEHR ah esh-plah-NAH-dah

[FEE-kuh ow bahl-KOWNG oh preh-FEHR ah esh-plah-NAH-dah]

🇵🇹 In Portugal: Many Portuguese drink their bica standing at the counter in a couple of minutes. Sitting on the terrace is the slower, more leisurely option.

Phrase Breakdown

Fica ao balcão

FEE-kuh ow bahl-KOWNG

Are you staying at the counter

This is the first option. Keep the voice up, since another option follows.

Example

Fica ao balcão hoje?

Are you staying at the counter today?

Words in this phrase

Fica

[FEE-kuh]

do you stay

From 'ficar'; here means to stay or remain (formal 'you').

Example

Fica cá para jantar?

Are you staying for dinner?

[ow]

to the / at the

Contraction of 'a' + 'o'; common in location expressions.

Example

O elevador fica Mesmo ao lado do restaurante, ao lado da receção.

The lift is right next to the restaurant, next to the reception.

balcão

[bahl-KOWNG]

counter / bar

Masculine noun for the bar or shop counter.

Example

Paga-se ao balcão.

You pay at the counter.

ou prefere a esplanada?

oh preh-FEHR ah esh-plah-NAH-dah

or do you prefer the terrace?

'Ou' (or) introduces the second option. Let the voice fall slightly at the end of this either/or question.

Example

Café ou prefere chá?

Coffee, or do you prefer tea?

Words in this phrase

[oh]

Used to present an alternative in a question or comparison.

Example

No networking, posso perguntar se o ambiente é formal ou descontraído.

In networking, I can ask whether the atmosphere is formal or relaxed.

prefere

[preh-FEHR]

do you prefer

A polite question asking someone's preference.

Example

Prefere mesa no interior se estiver frio lá fora.

Do you prefer a table inside if it is cold outside?

[ah]

the (feminine singular)

Same article "a" used before a feminine noun; often unstressed in speech.

Example

A estação é ali à direita.

The station is right there on the right.

esplanada

[esh-plah-NAH-dah]

terrace; outdoor seating area

Common European Portuguese word for a café or restaurant’s outdoor seating area.

Example

Gostamos de comer na esplanada ao fim da tarde.

We like to eat on the terrace in the late afternoon.

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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