How to say “Which floor is it?” in Portuguese

Introduction

Knowing how to ask about floors is a practical skill when traveling, staying in a building, or using elevators in Brazil. This article explains how to say Which floor is it? in Brazilian Portuguese, offers related vocabulary, simple dialogues, and helpful beginner tips for real-life situations like elevators, hotels, apartments, and stores.

Basic phrase: How to ask Which floor is it?

The most direct way to ask Which floor is it? in Brazilian Portuguese is Que andar é? This phrase is short, natural, and commonly used in elevators, at reception desks, and when asking someone on the phone which floor they are on.

Other useful variations include Em que andar fica? which means In which floor is it located? and Qual é o andar? which is slightly more formal and similar to Which is the floor?

Key words to know

andar — floor, story (of a building)

térreo — ground floor; often abbreviated as T or térreo in signs

subsolo — basement or below ground level

elevador — elevator; also called elevador in Brazil

escada — stairs

primeiro andar — first floor; note: in Brazil the ground floor is térreo and the next level is primeiro andar

Common natural questions and short replies

Here are common ways to ask and answer about floors in everyday situations. The first appearance of each main phrase is bolded.

Que andar é?

Responses:

É o térreo.

Fica no primeiro andar.

É no terceiro andar.

Em que andar fica?

Responses:

Fica no segundo andar, à esquerda.

O restaurante fica no último andar.

Qual é o andar?

Responses:

O consultório é no quarto andar.

O apartamento é no sexto andar, apartamento 602.

Short dialogues for real situations

Elevator scenario

— Que andar é?
— Segundo.

Hotel reception asking a guest

— Em que andar fica seu quarto?
— Meu quarto fica no quinto andar.

Delivery at an apartment building

— Qual é o andar do apartamento?
— É o sétimo andar, apartamento 702.

Asking for a store inside a mall

— Em que andar fica a loja de eletrônicos?
— Fica no térreo, perto da entrada principal.

Numbers and how they relate to floors

Beginners should learn floor numbers in Portuguese so you can understand responses and press elevator buttons. Here are numbers 0 to 10 as used for floors.

0 — térreo

1 — primeiro andar

2 — segundo andar

3 — terceiro andar

4 — quarto andar

5 — quinto andar

6 — sexto andar

7 — sétimo andar

8 — oitavo andar

9 — nono andar

10 — décimo andar

Tip: In elevator panels you may see the abbreviation T for térreo and S for subsolo. Some buildings use numbers starting with 1 for the ground floor; in Brazil, confirm if the ground floor is called térreo to avoid confusion.

Useful phrases to combine when asking about location

Attach helpful words to specify direction, room type, or landmarks.

Fica — indicates location; use with places: Fica no primeiro andar (It is on the first floor).

Ao lado — next to: Fica ao lado do elevador.

Perto de — near: Fica perto da escada.

Em frente a — in front of: Em frente à recepção.

Example sentences combining phrases

O banheiro fica no térreo, à direita da escada.

O salão de festas está no subsolo, nível S1.

A academia fica no terceiro andar, perto da sala 305.

Polite ways to ask and common replies

Politeness helps in hotels, offices, and stores. Add por favor to your question to be polite.

— Que andar é, por favor?
— É no quarto andar, por favor entre.

— Em que andar fica, por favor?
— Fica no primeiro andar, junto à escada.

Typical signs and words you will see

When navigating buildings, watch for these words on signs:

TÉRREO — ground floor

ANDAR — floor

AVISO — notice

SALA — room

RECEPÇÃO — reception

Reading a doorplate or elevator display

Doorplates often show the floor and room number: 5º ANDAR or 5º. Apartment numbers usually include the floor as the first digit: 502 is the fifth floor, apartment 02.

Common mistakes beginners make

Assuming ground floor is primeiro andar. In Brazil, the ground floor is usually térreo and the next level is primeiro andar. If in doubt, ask É térreo ou primeiro andar?

Using andar and floor interchangeably in contexts where térreo or subsolo is used. Be specific: diga térreo or subsolo when applicable.

Translating Which floor is it? word-for-word from English and creating unnatural structures. Use the natural Brazilian forms shown here.

Quick correction examples

Incorrect: Qual piso é?

Correct: Que andar é?

Incorrect: O térreo é o primeiro?

Correct clarification question: É térreo ou primeiro andar?

Practical contexts and sample conversations

At a restaurant with multiple floors

— Em que andar fica o restaurante?
— Fica no segundo andar, com vista para a rua.

Calling a friend who lives in an apartment building

— Oi, em que andar você está?
— Estou no quinto andar, apartamento 504.

Buying tickets at a theater

— Onde é a entrada da plateia?
— A plateia fica no térreo. O camarote está no primeiro andar.

Elevator etiquette vocabulary

Segure a porta — hold the door

Próximo andar — next floor

Capacidade máxima — maximum capacity

Botão — button

Beginner tips for practice

Listen for building announcements and elevator voice prompts. They often say números and termos like térreo or subsolo, which helps you learn floor vocabulary in context.

When in doubt at a hotel or office, ask the reception: Em que andar fica o quarto/consultório/loja? Receptionists will give directions and usually say landmarks like à esquerda or ao lado.

Practice with a partner: one person plays receptionist and the other asks Que andar é? Use different responses to simulate real life.

Conclusion

Asking Which floor is it? in Brazilian Portuguese is practical and easy to learn. Use Que andar é? or Em que andar fica?, learn key words like térreo, subsolo, and the numbers, and practice with simple dialogues found here. These phrases will help you navigate elevators, hotels, stores, and apartments with confidence.