How to say “I’ll check the size first” in Portuguese

Introduction

Learning how to say simple, practical sentences is one of the fastest ways to become comfortable in Brazilian Portuguese. This article explains how to say I’ll check the size first in Brazilian Portuguese, when to use it, and useful variations for shopping, tailoring, online messages, and everyday conversations.

Why this phrase matters

When shopping for clothes, shoes, or equipment, saying that you will check the size first is a polite and common response. It shows you are considering fit and not rushing a purchase. In Brazil, both in physical stores and online chats, knowing the right phrase helps you communicate clearly with sales staff, store assistants, tailors, or friends helping you decide.

Key phrase and literal translation

The main phrase is Vou checar o tamanho primeiro.

Literal English translation: I will check the size first.

Explanation in English: Vou is the contraction of vou (I will) used to form the future with the infinitive checar (to check). O tamanho means the size. Primeiro means first. Checar is commonly used in Brazilian spoken and written Portuguese, especially in informal or service contexts.

Common alternatives

Vou ver o tamanho primeiro

‘Ver’ means to see or check. This is slightly more natural in everyday speech than checar for many Brazilians.

Primeiro vou conferir o tamanho

Conferir means to verify or check carefully. This version sounds a bit more careful or formal.

Deixe-me ver o tamanho primeiro

Deixe-me ver literally means let me see. This is polite and useful when asking for a moment to check fit or measurements.

When to use each version

Use Vou ver o tamanho primeiro in casual interactions at markets, small stores, or with friends.

Use Vou checar o tamanho primeiro if you are messaging customer service or writing in a semi-formal context, since checar is often used in written communication.

Use Primeiro vou conferir o tamanho when you want to emphasize careful checking, for example when trying on a formal outfit or ordering a tailored piece.

Use Deixe-me ver o tamanho primeiro when asking the seller for a moment to look, especially if you need something from a different shelf or a measuring tape.

Useful vocabulary

tamanho — size

vestido — dress

camisa — shirt

calça — pants

sapato — shoe

provei (provar) — I tried on (to try on)

medida — measurement

fazer a prova — to try on (literally to do the trial)

serviço — service

troca — exchange

Simple phrases to use in a store

Tem esse modelo no meu tamanho?
Do you have this model in my size?

Posso provar?
Can I try it on?

Vou ver o tamanho primeiro, obrigado.
I will check the size first, thank you.

Onde fica o provador?
Where is the fitting room?

Você tem outra cor no mesmo tamanho?
Do you have another color in the same size?

Short beginner-friendly dialogues

Scenario: Clothing store

Vendedor: Posso ajudar?
Cliente: Sim, obrigado. Preciso dessa camisa no tamanho M.
Vendedor: Temos. Quer provar?
Cliente: Vou ver o tamanho primeiro, depois eu provo.

Scenario: Shoe shop

Cliente: Esse sapato tem no 38?
Vendedor: Vou trazer.
Cliente: Deixe-me ver o tamanho primeiro, por favor.

Scenario: Online chat with seller

Vendedor: A peça é P, M e G.
Cliente: Vou checar o tamanho primeiro e te respondo em 10 minutos.

How to say it politely

Brazilian Portuguese often uses please and thank you in customer interactions. If you want to be extra polite, add obrigado/obrigada depending on your gender, or a softening phrase like por favor.

Examples:

Vou ver o tamanho primeiro, por favor.

Vou conferir o tamanho primeiro, obrigada.

Short messages and text examples

When chatting by text or app, you can use shorter, casual versions:

Vou ver o tamanho primeiro, te aviso.
I will check the size first, I’ll let you know.

Já vou conferir o tamanho e volto com a resposta.
I’ll check the size now and come back with the answer.

Posso checar o tamanho e confirmar?
Can I check the size and confirm?

Common mistakes to avoid

Using European-specific verbs or spellings — stick to Brazilian forms like checar, conferir, ver.

Overusing literal English structures — do not translate word-for-word; use natural Portuguese order: Vou ver o tamanho primeiro, not Primeiro eu ver o tamanho.

Forgetting agreement in surrounding sentences — for example, if you add obrigado/obrigada, match your gender: obrigada for female speakers, obrigado for male speakers.

Pronunciation tips for beginners

Vou — pronouced like voy but with a soft w sound at the end.

Checar — sounds like sheh-kar, with stress on the second syllable.

Ver — short and simple, like vehrr (soft r).

Tamanho — ta-MAN-yo, with the nh producing the palatal sound similar to the ni in onion.

Primeiro — pree-MAY-roo, with a gentle r at the end.

Related useful sentences

Como está no meu tamanho?
How does it fit in my size?

Fora do meu tamanho
Out of my size

Tem para experimentar?
Do you have one to try?

Posso medir?
Can I measure?

Practical scenarios

Shopping in a mall: Walk up to a sales assistant and start with a simple greeting, then say Vou ver o tamanho primeiro if you want to check multiple sizes yourself. If you need help, ask Onde estão os tamanhos maiores/menores?

At a tailor: Use Primeiro vou conferir o tamanho before asking for adjustments or measurements. Tailors expect precise language like medida and cintura (waist), comprimento (length).

Online marketplaces: When negotiating or confirming a purchase, write Vou checar o tamanho primeiro e depois eu compro so the seller knows you will verify size before committing.

Beginner tips

Keep it short and polite. Simple phrases are better than long explanations when shopping.

Listen for tamanho, provar, provar no provador, medir, and trocas so you know the context of the conversation.

Practice the phrase with friends or in role-play: one person is the seller, the other the buyer. Swap roles to learn related vocabulary like diferentes tamanhos and experimentar.

Quick reference card

Vou ver o tamanho primeiro — I’ll check the size first (casual)

Vou checar o tamanho primeiro — I’ll check the size first (semi-formal)

Primeiro vou conferir o tamanho — First I’ll verify the size (careful, formal)

Deixe-me ver o tamanho primeiro — Let me see the size first (polite)

Conclusion

Mastering the phrase I’ll check the size first in Brazilian Portuguese helps you handle shopping, tailoring, and online buying with confidence. Use Vou ver o tamanho primeiro or Vou checar o tamanho primeiro depending on formality, and pair them with polite words like por favor and obrigado/obrigada. Practice the short dialogues and vocabulary here to make real-life conversations easier and more natural.