How to Say ‘Is this seat free?’ in Portuguese
Este lugar está livre?
💬 Usage Tip: Natural, polite question. More formal: “Este lugar está livre, se faz favor?”
🇵🇹 In Portugal: If someone is saving a seat, they may say “Está ocupado” (It’s taken) or “É para a minha amiga” (It’s for my friend).
Word-by-Word Breakdown
Este
[ESH-tuh]
this
Masculine singular demonstrative (“this”), pointing to a specific seat/place you’re indicating.
Desculpe, este lugar está livre no elétrico?
Excuse me, is this seat free on the tram?
lugar
[loo-GAR]
place; seat; spot
In transport contexts, “lugar” often refers to a seat (your place to sit).
No comboio, este lugar fica mais perto da porta.
On the train, this seat is closer to the door.
está
[esh-TAH]
is
3rd person singular of “estar” (“is/are”), used for temporary states/conditions (e.g., whether a seat is free).
Este lugar está livre agora.
This seat is free now.
livre
[LEE-vruh]
free; available; unoccupied
Used to say something is available/unoccupied (a seat on the tram/train).
Este lugar está livre, pode sentar-se.
This seat is free, you can sit down.
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