Ask Before Borrowing a Roommate’s Things in Brazilian Portuguese — Practice

Ask permission with a specific request

Emprestar means to lend, while pegar emprestado means to borrow. Name the item and, if relevant, explain how long you need it. A specific request is easier to answer than posso pegar suas coisas? (can I take your things?).

Use você se importa se…? (do you mind if…?) or posso pegar emprestado…? (can I borrow…?) to check first.

Agree on when and where to return it

Say when you expect to return the item and put it back in the place your roommate prefers. If you damage or misplace something, tell them promptly and discuss how to fix the situation.

Avoid taking an item before the owner responds, even if you think they will probably agree. Permission is clearer when the person has a chance to answer.

Accept a no graciously

The other person may need the item or may not lend it. Reply with tudo bem (that's okay) and look for another option. Respecting the answer makes it easier to share a home comfortably.

If borrowing household equipment comes up often, ask whether the home wants to make a list of items everyone can use and which ones are personal.

Remember: Name the item, ask before using it, agree on when it will be returned, and accept the answer without pressure.

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. Can I borrow your charger for an hour?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Posso pegar seu carregador emprestado por uma hora?

2. Do you mind if I use your pan today?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Você se importa se eu usar a sua panela hoje?

3. I will return it as soon as I finish cooking.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Devolvo assim que terminar de cozinhar.

4. Can I leave it on your desk when I return it?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Posso deixar na sua mesa quando devolver?

5. That's okay; I will look for another charger.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Tudo bem, vou procurar outro carregador.

6. No problem. Thanks for letting me know.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Sem problema. Obrigado por me avisar.

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

Name the item, ask before using it, agree on when it will be returned, and accept the answer without pressure.

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our Ask Before Borrowing a Roommate’s Things in Brazilian Portuguese lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.