Portuguese phrases for practical furniture choices

Introduction

Choosing furniture in Brazil often involves simple conversations with store staff, delivery people, or friends. This article teaches beginner English-speaking learners practical Brazilian Portuguese phrases for furniture shopping, measuring spaces, describing styles, and coordinating delivery. Clear examples, short dialogues, and helpful vocabulary make real-life furniture decisions easier.

Key vocabulary for furniture shopping

Start with essential nouns and adjectives to name items and describe materials or size. Learn these to point, ask, and compare in stores and online listings.

sofa — couch

cama — bed

mesa — table

cadeira — chair

estante — shelf/bookcase

armário — cabinet/wardrobe

comodinha — bedside table

guarda-roupa — closet/wardrobe

móvel — piece of furniture

madeira — wood

metal — metal

vidro — glass

estofado — upholstered

novo — new

usado — used

grande — large

pequeno — small

Common phrases to start a conversation

These short phrases help you get information or begin bargaining. The first time a key phrase appears it is highlighted for clarity.

Quanto custa? — How much does it cost?

Tem garantia? — Does it have a warranty?

Tem entrega? — Do you offer delivery?

Posso ver? — Can I see it?

Está disponível? — Is it available?

Vocês montam? — Do you assemble it?

Aceita cartão? — Do you accept cards?

Describing size and layout

When choosing furniture, you often need to say dimensions or where an item will go. These useful terms make that conversation precise.

metros — meters

centímetros — centimeters

largura — width

altura — height

profundidade — depth

entra pela porta? — Will it fit through the door?

tem espaço para isso? — Is there space for this?

medidas — measurements

Preciso medir a sala. — I need to measure the room.

Asking about materials, quality, and comfort

Material and comfort matter when choosing furniture. Use these phrases to get details and reassure yourself about a purchase.

De que material é? — What material is it made of?

É resistente? — Is it sturdy?

É confortável? — Is it comfortable?

É fácil de limpar? — Is it easy to clean?

Qual a marca? — What brand is it?

Tem amostra de tecido? — Do you have a fabric sample?

Simple negotiation and payment phrases

Beginners can use these basic phrases when negotiating a price or arranging payment. Keep exchanges polite and straightforward.

Tem desconto? — Is there a discount?

Posso parcelar? — Can I pay in installments?

Qual o valor final? — What is the final price?

Posso pagar com cartão de crédito? — Can I pay with a credit card?

Preciso de nota fiscal. — I need a receipt/invoice.

Delivery and assembly conversations

Coordinating delivery and assembly is often the final step. These phrases help confirm dates, times, and services.

Quando podem entregar? — When can you deliver?

Qual o prazo de entrega? — What is the delivery time?

Quanto custa a entrega? — How much is delivery?

Vocês montam o móvel? — Do you assemble the furniture?

O frete está incluído? — Is shipping included?

Podem subir até o apartamento? — Can you take it up to the apartment?

Beginner-friendly dialogues: furniture store

Short dialogues show how phrases connect in real conversations. Use them to practice listening and speaking.

Cliente: Bom dia. Este sofá está disponível?
Vendedor: Bom dia. Sim, está disponível. Qual a cor você prefere?
Cliente: Quero cinza. Quanto custa?
Vendedor: O sofá custa 1.800 reais. Entrega em duas semanas.

Cliente: Tem garantia?
Vendedor: Tem um ano de garantia. Nós entregamos e montamos por 120 reais.

Beginner-friendly dialogues: delivery and apartment

These practical interactions are useful when scheduling delivery or confirming fit through doors and elevators.

Cliente: Olá, a entrega é amanhã? Eu moro no terceiro andar.
Transportadora: Olá. Sim, podemos entregar amanhã. Precisamos saber se cabe na porta e no elevador.
Cliente: Vamos medir. A porta tem 80 centímetros de largura.

Quick tips for beginners

Small practical tips help you avoid common problems when buying furniture in Brazil.

Always measure the space and doorways before buying a large piece. Say Vou medir a porta e a sala to tell a salesperson you will check.

Ask for delivery costs and assembly clearly: Quanto custa a entrega e a montagem?

For used furniture, ask about condition: O móvel tem algum defeito?

Keep simple polite phrases: Por favor, obrigado/obrigada, and com licença are useful in stores and homes.

Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them

Beginners often mix up gender or forget plural forms. Keep these points in mind for clearer communication.

Mistake: Using the wrong article gender. Learn the article with the noun: o sofá, a cama.

Mistake: Forgetting plural forms when talking about multiple items. Uma cadeira vs duas cadeiras.

Mistake: Not giving measurements in centimeters or meters. Use metros and centímetros and practice saying numbers: um metro e vinte centímetros.

Mistake: Not confirming delivery details. Repeat them back: Então a entrega é amanhã às 14 horas e vocês sobem até o terceiro andar?

Sample sentences for messages and listings

These short, realistic sentences are useful for texting a seller or reading an online listing.

Vendo sofá de três lugares, quase novo, por 900 reais.

Entrega disponível na cidade de São Paulo, custo adicional.

Cama queen size com colchão incluso. Medidas: 160 x 200 cm.

Armário de madeira maciça, sem marcas grandes, precisa ser retirado no local.

Practice dialogue: at a flea market or secondhand shop

Used furniture shopping is common and often more budget-friendly. This short dialogue helps you negotiate gently.

Cliente: Quanto você quer por essa mesa?
Vendedor: 300 reais.
Cliente: Tem desconto se eu levar hoje?
Vendedor: Posso fazer 250 reais. Você leva agora?
Cliente: Posso pagar no cartão?
Vendedor: Prefiro dinheiro, mas aceito transferência.

How to describe style and color

Describing the look helps match furniture to your home. Use simple adjectives for beginners.

moderno — modern

clássico — classic

rústico — rustic

preto — black

branco — white

marrom — brown

cinza — gray

Example: Quero um móvel moderno e branco para a sala.

Useful phrases for returning or exchanging furniture

If something is wrong or the piece doesn’t fit, these phrases help you explain the problem and ask for a solution.

Quero devolver este móvel. — I want to return this furniture.

Não cabe na minha sala. — It does not fit in my room.

Chegou com defeito. — It arrived damaged.

Posso trocar por outro modelo? — Can I exchange it for another model?

Conclusion

Learning basic Brazilian Portuguese phrases for furniture choices makes shopping, delivery, and setup much easier for beginners. Memorize key nouns, measurement terms, and polite questions, and practice the short dialogues to feel confident in stores, online chats, or when coordinating delivery. Simple phrases like Quanto custa? and Quando podem entregar? will take you far.