Useful Portuguese phrases for borrowing and returning things

Introduction

Borrowing and returning items is a common part of everyday life. In Brazilian Portuguese, simple polite phrases and questions help you ask to borrow things, agree on conditions, and return items smoothly. This article teaches beginner-friendly vocabulary, sample sentences, short dialogues, and practical tips to handle these situations with confidence.

Why learning borrowing and returning phrases matters

Knowing how to borrow and return items in Portuguese helps in many real situations: lending a book to a colleague, borrowing a pen in class, asking to use a phone charger at a café, or returning a borrowed umbrella. Clear phrases reduce misunderstandings and show respect.

Key vocabulary for borrowing and returning

emprestar – to lend

pegar emprestado – to borrow

devolver – to return (an item)

emprestado – lent

emprestador / emprestadora – lender

tomador – borrower

prazo – deadline or time period

emprestimo – loan (informal item loan)

alugar – to rent (different concept: payment)

Basic polite phrases to ask to borrow something

Posso pegar emprestado seu/ sua… – Can I borrow your…

Você pode me emprestar… – Can you lend me…

Será que posso usar seu/ sua… por um minuto? – Could I use your… for a minute?

Você se importa se eu pegar emprestado seu/ sua…? – Do you mind if I borrow your…?

Posso pegar emprestado is a very common and polite starter for requests; note the gender agreement with seu/ sua.

Examples with everyday items

Posso pegar emprestado seu carregador? – Can I borrow your charger?

Você pode me emprestar uma caneta? – Can you lend me a pen?

Será que posso usar seu Wi-Fi por um instante? – Could I use your Wi-Fi for a moment?

Você se importa se eu pegar emprestado seu guarda-chuva? – Do you mind if I borrow your umbrella?

How to offer to lend something

Claro, pode pegar. – Sure, you can take it.

Posso te emprestar, sem problema. – I can lend it to you, no problem.

Fica com isso até quando você precisar. – Keep it until you need it (informal).

When offering, be clear about conditions: how long, and whether you want it back in the same condition.

Examples of offers and conditions

Claro, pode pegar meu livro. Me devolve na semana que vem?
– Sure, you can take my book. Can you return it next week?

Posso te emprestar o cabo, mas preciso dele amanhã cedo.
– I can lend you the cable, but I need it tomorrow morning.

Fica com a minha garrafa, só me traz de volta quando puder.
– Keep my bottle, just bring it back when you can.

Agreeing on time and condition

Discussing prazo and condição avoids misunderstandings. Use simple date/time words and condition phrases.

Até quando você precisa? – Until when do you need it?

Me traz de volta até sexta? – Can you bring it back by Friday?

Por quanto tempo você quer? – For how long do you want it?

Por favor, cuida bem, está novo. – Please take good care, it is new.

Time and condition examples

Posso ficar com sua bicicleta até domingo?
– Can I keep your bike until Sunday?

Sim, mas me devolve até sábado à tarde.
– Yes, but return it to me by Saturday afternoon.

Você pode usar, só não risca a capa.
– You can use it, just don’t scratch the cover.

How to return items politely

Returning an item politely shows responsibility and maintains good relationships. Use simple phrases to signal the return and confirm condition.

Estou devolvendo seu/ sua… – I am returning your…

Aqui está, como combinado. – Here it is, as agreed.

Desculpa por devolver com um dia de atraso. – Sorry for returning it one day late.

Estou devolvendo is a straightforward way to start the return conversation.

Return examples

Estou devolvendo seu carregador. Obrigado por emprestar!
– I am returning your charger. Thanks for lending it!

Aqui está o livro, peço desculpas pela demora.
– Here is the book, sorry for the delay.

Devolvi sua jaqueta. Está tudo certo?
– I returned your jacket. Is everything okay?

Short beginner-friendly dialogues

Posso pegar emprestado seu celular por um minuto?
– Can I borrow your phone for a minute?

Claro, pega aí.
– Sure, take it.

Você pode me emprestar uma caneta?
– Can you lend me a pen?

Tenho uma. Me devolve depois, por favor.
– I have one. Please give it back later.

Estou devolvendo o seu livro.
– I am returning your book.

Obrigada! Tudo certo?
– Thanks! Is everything okay?

Sim, muito bom. Obrigado por emprestar.
– Yes, very good. Thanks for lending it.

Common mistakes beginners make

Mixing emprestar and pegar emprestado: emprestar is to lend (what the owner does). Pegar emprestado is to borrow (what the borrower does).

Forgetting gender agreement with seu/ sua: use seu for masculine items and sua for feminine items, or use the person’s name to avoid confusion.

Not agreeing on prazo: always confirm when you will return the item to avoid awkwardness.

Assuming emprestar equals alugar: alugar implies payment; use emprestar for free lending.

Beginner tips for sounding polite and natural

Always start with a polite opener like Por favor or Você se importa if the request is not urgent.

Use obrigada/ obrigado to say thank you when someone lends you something. feminina users say obrigada; masculine users say obrigado.

Confirm the return time: repetition helps. For example: Me devolve na sexta, combinado?

When returning, a quick apology for delay or a thank you reassures the lender: Desculpa pela demora and Obrigado/ Obrigada.

Practical scenarios and sample phrases

In class: Posso pegar emprestado uma folha de rascunho? – Can I borrow a scrap sheet?

At a café: Você pode me emprestar um pouco de sal? – Can you lend me a little salt?

At work: Posso pegar emprestado seu carregador por algumas horas? – Can I borrow your charger for a few hours?

With a neighbor: Você se importa se eu pegar emprestado sua escada? – Do you mind if I borrow your ladder?

Extra useful short phrases

Combinado – Agreed

Sem problema – No problem

Obrigado/ Obrigada – Thank you

De nada – You’re welcome

Mini checklist before borrowing or lending

Ask politely: use Por favor or Você se importa?

Set the prazo: agree on a return date and time.

Discuss condição: mention if the item is fragile or new.

Confirm understanding: repeat Combinado or Tudo certo?

Conclusion

With a few key verbs and polite phrases, beginners can comfortably borrow and return items in Brazilian Portuguese. Focus on learning emprestar, pegar emprestado, and devolver, practice short dialogues, and always confirm return time and condition. These skills make everyday interactions smoother and build good relationships with people around you.