How to say “I’m going to the coworker’s desk” in Portuguese

Introduction

Learn how to say I am going to the coworker’s desk in Brazilian Portuguese, plus useful related phrases for workplace conversations. This article gives clear translations, vocabulary, short dialogues, and beginner tips so you can confidently move around an office and talk about visiting colleagues.

Key phrase and simple translations

The most natural way to say I’m going to the coworker’s desk in Brazilian Portuguese depends on context. For a short, everyday sentence you can use Vou na mesa do colega or Vou até a mesa do colega. Both are widely used in Brazilian offices and are easy for beginners to remember.

Variations to match formality and gender:

Vou na mesa da colega — when the coworker is female.

Vou na mesa do colega — when the coworker is male.

Vou até a mesa do colega — slightly more complete and polite, literally I’m going over to the coworker’s desk.

Breaking down the phrase: vocabulary and grammar

Understanding the pieces helps you create other sentences.

Vou — I’m going; first person singular of ir in the present colloquial form. Common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese.

na — contraction of em + a, meaning at/to the (feminine). Used before a feminine noun like mesa.

no — contraction of em + o, meaning at/to the (masculine). Use before masculine nouns: no corredor.

mesa — desk or table; in offices it means desk.

do colega / da colega — of the coworker; do = de + o (masculine), da = de + a (feminine).

até — until/to; adds the sense of heading over to or approaching. Vou até a mesa = I’m going over to the desk.

Short polite alternatives and workplace tone

In casual Brazilian offices you can keep it short. For slightly more polite or clear statements, add a subject or a verb phrase:

Eu vou na mesa do colega — I’m going to the coworker’s desk (more explicit subject).

Vou dar uma passada na mesa do colega — I’ll pop by the coworker’s desk (colloquial).

Vou falar com o colega na mesa dele — I’m going to speak with the coworker at his desk.

Practical vocabulary for office movements and directions

mesa — desk

colega — coworker; colleague

chegar — to arrive

voltar — to return

perto — near

longe — far

ao lado — next to

no corredor — in the hallway

sala de reunião — meeting room

Common workplace phrases related to visiting a desk

Posso passar na sua mesa? — Can I stop by your desk?

Você pode vir na minha mesa? — Can you come to my desk?

Eu já volto — I’ll be right back.

Fica tranquilo(a), vou já — Don’t worry, I’ll go now. Use tranquilo for men and tranquila for women when addressing someone informally.

Beginner-friendly example sentences

Vou na mesa do Rafael — I’m going to Rafael’s desk.

Vou na mesa da Ana — I’m going to Ana’s desk.

Eu vou até a mesa do João para pegar um documento — I’m going to João’s desk to get a document.

Vou passar na mesa do time antes da reunião — I’m going to stop by the team’s desk before the meeting.

Short dialogues for real office situations

Scenario 1: Quick check-in

Maria: Você fica aí?
João: Não, vou na mesa do colega. Volto em cinco minutos.

Translation: Maria: Are you staying there?
João: No, I’m going to the coworker’s desk. I’ll be back in five minutes.

Scenario 2: Asking for help

Lucas: Preciso de um arquivo.
Paula: Posso te ajudar?
Lucas: Vou até a mesa da Paula pra pegar.
Paula: Tudo bem, te espero.

Translation: Lucas: I need a file.
Paula: Can I help you?
Lucas: I’ll go to Paula’s desk to get it.
Paula: Fine, I’ll wait for you.

Scenario 3: Informal announcement

Colega: Oi, vai demorar?
Você: Não, só vou na mesa do colega para perguntar uma coisa.

Translation: Coworker: Hi, will you take long?
You: No, I’m just going to the coworker’s desk to ask something.

Messaging and quick written notes

In chat or messaging apps people use short forms. These are common and friendly for beginners.

Example messages:

Vou na mesa do Pedro, volto já.

Voltando da mesa da Laura.

Posso passar na sua mesa depois?

These are simple and clear when sending a quick status update or asking permission to interrupt someone.

Beginner tips to sound natural

Use contractions: Brazilians often say vou instead of eu vou in informal speech.

Match gender: Use do colega or da colega depending on the coworker’s gender.

Keep it short in spoken office interactions; too many formal words can sound stiff.

Use até when you want to emphasize moving toward a place: vou até a mesa da Júlia.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Mixing gender: Avoid saying do colega when the coworker is female; say da colega.

Unnecessary articles: Saying eu vou a mesa do colega misses the contraction. Use eu vou na mesa do colega or eu vou à mesa do colega (à is formal written contraction but not common in speech for most learners; use na to be safe).

Overly literal translations: Directly translating I’m going to my coworker’s desk word-for-word from English can produce unnatural order. Follow the Portuguese order: Vou na mesa do colega.

Pronunciation tips for beginners

Vou — sounds like voo; the vowel is close to the English oo but shorter.

Mesa — MEH-sah with stress on the first syllable.

Colega — co-LEH-ga with the stress on the second syllable.

Até — ah-TEH; pronounce the final e clearly in Brazilian Portuguese.

How to extend the phrase for other contexts

To say I’m going to the manager’s desk: Vou na mesa do chefe.

To say I’m going to my own desk: Vou na minha mesa.

To say I’m going to the reception desk: Vou na recepção or Vou na mesa da recepção.

Practical scenarios where you’ll use this phrase

Before a short meeting: Inform colleagues you’re stepping away to speak with someone else.

When picking up documents: Say you’re going to a coworker’s desk to collect papers.

To find help: Ask permission to approach a coworker’s desk for assistance.

Extra polite expressions to pair with the phrase

Com licença, vou na mesa do colega — Excuse me, I’m going to the coworker’s desk.

Desculpa, posso passar na sua mesa? — Sorry, can I stop by your desk?

Obrigado(a), vou já — Thanks, I’ll go now. Use obrigado for men and obrigada for women speaking.

Useful mini-glossary

Vou — I’m going

na / no — to the (feminine / masculine)

mesa — desk

do / da — of the (masculine / feminine)

colega — coworker

até — to/over to

Conclusion

Now you know simple, natural ways to say I’m going to the coworker’s desk in Brazilian Portuguese, plus helpful vocabulary, polite alternatives, short dialogues, and common mistakes to avoid. Use Vou na mesa do colega or Vou até a mesa do colega in real office situations, adjust gender with do colega or da colega, and keep your language short and natural for smooth workplace interactions.