Encostas o cartão na entrada.
Tap the card at the entrance.
Language note: “Encostar” = to touch/press lightly. In Portugal people often say “encostar o cartão” (not “tapar”).
Culture note: You validate at the gates by touching the card to the reader. If you’re using a rechargeable card (e.g., Andante in Porto, Viva Viagem in Lisbon), you must validate before entering.
Context: They give the full instruction in one sentence.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
Encostas
[en-KOSH-tash]
you tap/press (against)
From "encostar"; in everyday PT-PT for metro gates it means to bring the card close and touch it to the reader (tap).
Encostas o cartão no leitor e a cancela abre.
You tap the card on the reader and the gate opens.
o
[oo]
the (masculine singular)
Definite article used before masculine singular nouns; here it refers to a specific card (your travel card).
Guarda o cartão na carteira.
Keep the card in your wallet.
cartão
[kar-TOWN]
card
A physical card; in the metro it can be a travel card/ticket card you validate at the entrance.
O cartão não passou à primeira; tentei outra vez.
The card didn’t work the first time; I tried again.
na
[nah]
at the (feminine singular)
Contraction of "em" + "a" meaning "at/in/on the"; commonly used with places like "na entrada".
Encostas o cartão na entrada antes de desceres para a plataforma.
You tap the card at the entrance before going down to the platform.
entrada
[en-TRAH-dah]
entrance; entry
The entry point to a place; in a metro station it can mean the gates/turnstile area.
A entrada está à direita, depois das escadas.
The entrance is on the right, after the stairs.
Phrase Parts
Encostas
You touch / you tap
Instruction for what to do when validating.
Encosta o cartão devagar.
Tap the card slowly.
o cartão
the card
The object you validate with.
O cartão não funciona.
The card doesn’t work.
na entrada.
at the entrance.
‘na’ = ‘em’ + ‘a’. ‘entrada’ is feminine; refers to the entrance gate/area.
Encontro-te na entrada.
I’ll meet you at the entrance.
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