How to say “Let’s keep it informal” in Portuguese

Introduction

When learning Brazilian Portuguese, knowing how to switch between formal and informal language is essential. This article explains how to say lets keep it informal in Portuguese, when to use it, and offers beginner-friendly examples, phrases, and short dialogues for everyday situations.

What does lets keep it informal mean in Portuguese?

The phrase vamos ficar no informal or more natural vamos ficar no você are ways to suggest using informal speech. In Brazilian Portuguese, speakers often use either the first person plural suggestion or phrases that specifically mention using tu or você, though in Brazil você is most common for informal address. Another common casual phrase is vamos ser informais.

Key Portuguese expressions

vamos ficar no informal – lets keep it informal (direct, understandable)

vamos ser informais – lets be informal

fica tranquilo – take it easy / no need to be formal (colloquial)

vamos de você – lets use você (choosing informal pronoun)

pode me chamar de – you can call me (used to invite informal address)

When to use these phrases

Use these expressions when you want to lower the formality in conversation: meeting coworkers after introductions, chatting with classmates, messaging a new friend, or when someone suggests using first names. Avoid informal language with older people, formal officials, job interviews, or when respect and distance are required.

Simple vocabulary explained

vamos – we go / lets (used to make suggestions)

ficar – to stay, to remain

no informal – in the informal (no is a contraction of em + o, used here colloquially)

ser – to be

informais – plural adjective for informal

você – informal you (most common in Brazil)

tu – informal you (used regionally in parts of Brazil)

pode – can / may

me chamar – call me

Beginner-friendly phrases and examples

Below are short, practical sentences a beginner can use or hear in everyday situations.

Vamos ficar no informal, pode me chamar de Ana.

Se quiser, a gente pode ser informais e falar de tudo.

Pode me chamar de João, vamos de você?

Fica tranquilo, pode falar comigo no informal.

Não precisa ser tão formal, vamos ficar no você.

Short dialogues

Example 1 – Meeting a classmate

— Oi, eu sou a Maria. Prazer.

— Prazer, Maria. Eu sou o Paulo. Vamos ficar no informal?

— Pode me chamar de Maria, sim.

Example 2 – Coworkers after a meeting

— Obrigada pela apresentação, Sr. Silva.

— Pode me chamar de Carlos. Vamos ser informais.

— Ótimo, Carlos. Valeu!

Example 3 – Messaging a new friend

— Posso te chamar de Lu?

— Claro! Vamos de você. 🙂

Practical situations: how to suggest informality

Here are realistic contexts and phrases you can use depending on the setting.

At a cafe with a new friend

— Você prefere que fiquemos no informal?

With a teacher or older professional, softening the request

— Se o senhor(a) permitir, podemos ficar no informal?

In a team meeting when names are used

— Pessoal, vamos ser informais e usar primeiro nome?

Polite approaches for beginners

When you are not sure if informality is appropriate, use a polite question so the other person can accept or decline:

Posso te chamar de [nome]?

Se não for incômodo, podemos ficar no informal?

Common replies and natural responses

Here are typical responses you might hear when offering to be informal.

Claro, pode sim.

Prefiro que fique no formal, por favor.

Tudo bem, vamos de você.

Obrigado, prefiro [sobrenome] por enquanto.

Explaining the pronouns: você vs tu

In Brazil, você is the most widely used informal you, while tu appears regionally. Beginners should learn você first because it fits most conversations. If a speaker prefers tu, they might say vamos de tu or just speak naturally using tu.

Common mistakes and beginner tips

Mistake: Using informal language too soon. Tip: Wait for permission or mirror the other person if unsure.

Mistake: Confusing formal você with a plural pronoun. Tip: Remember você is singular; vocês is plural.

Mistake: Mixing tu and você forms in the same sentence. Tip: Stick to one pronoun for consistency.

Mistake: Using informal slang with elders or officials. Tip: Use formal address until told otherwise.

Quick grammar note

When you suggest informality, use vamos + infinitive (vamos ficar, vamos ser). This is a simple and safe structure for beginners.

More everyday examples

At a restaurant, asking the host

— Podemos ficar no informal, pode me chamar pelo meu nome?

At a bus station, informal help

— Pode me chamar de Felipe. Fica tranquilo, eu te mostro a plataforma.

In a store, friendly service

— Pode me chamar de Joana. Em que posso ajudar?

Pronunciation tips for beginners

vamos ficar no informal – VAH-moos fee-KAR noo een-for-MAL

vamos ser informais – VAH-moos sehr een-for-MAH-eez

pode me chamar de – POH-jee mee shah-MAR jee

fica tranquilo – FEE-kah trahn-KEE-loo

Short practice dialogues for common contexts

Office introduction

— Olá, sou a Ana, nova no time.

— Prazer, Ana. Eu sou o Miguel. Vamos ficar no informal?

— Claro, Miguel. Pode me chamar de Ana.

New classmate

— Eu posso te chamar de Rafa?

— Sim, vamos de você.

How to decline politely

If you prefer formality, use these polite refusal lines.

Prefiro que fique no formal, por favor.

Obrigada, mas pode me tratar pelo sobrenome por enquanto.

Conclusion

Learning to say vamos ficar no informal and related phrases helps beginners navigate everyday Brazilian Portuguese conversations more naturally. Use the sample phrases, dialogues, and tips to offer or accept informality politely, and remember to mirror the other speaker and stay respectful when in doubt.