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

Desculpe, este lugar está livre?

des-koo-lpe ESH-teh loo-GAR shtah LEE-vreh

[des-koo-lpe ESH-teh loo-GAR shtah LEE-vreh]

🇵🇹 In Portugal: Cafés fill up fast during big matches. Asking before taking an empty chair is expected, even if nobody seems to be using it.

Phrase Breakdown

Desculpe,

des-koo-lpe

Excuse me,

The polite form, used with strangers. It sounds like 'dish-KULP'.

Example

Desculpe, que horas são?

Excuse me, what time is it?

Words in this phrase

Desculpe

[des-koo-lpe]

sorry

A polite expression used to forgive or ask for forgiveness.

Example

Eu estou desculpado.

I am forgiven.

este lugar

ESH-teh loo-GAR

this seat

A demonstrative plus a noun. Keep them together: 'ESHT lu-GAR'.

Example

Gosto deste lugar.

I like this place.

Words in this phrase

este

[ESH-teh]

this

Masculine demonstrative for something near the speaker.

Example

Este café é bom.

This coffee is good.

lugar

[loo-GAR]

seat / place

A place or spot; here, a seat.

Example

Guardei um lugar para ti.

I saved a seat for you.

está livre?

shtah LEE-vreh

is free?

Raise your voice at the end to make it a question.

Example

O táxi está livre?

Is the taxi free?

Words in this phrase

está

[shtah]

are (you, formal) / is

Form of 'estar' (to be, for states) used with 'você' or formal address, or for he/she/it.

Example

O senhor está cansado?

Are you tired, sir?

livre

[LEE-vreh]

free / available

Not occupied or not taken.

Example

A mesa está livre.

The table is free.

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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