Introduction
Shopping for clothes or shoes in Brazil often means asking politely for a different size. This article teaches beginners how to say could I try a wider size in Brazilian Portuguese, plus useful vocabulary, polite phrases, simple dialogues, and common replies you will hear in stores. Learn practical language you can use right away.
Why polite phrasing matters in Brazilian Portuguese stores
When you are in a shop in Brazil, using polite language makes interactions smoother and more pleasant. Store staff usually respond better to clear, respectful requests. For beginners, a few set phrases are enough to handle size questions confidently.
Key phrase to ask for a wider size
The most direct, polite way to ask is Posso experimentar um número maior?
Breakdown in English:
Posso = Can I / May I
experimentar = try on
um número maior = a bigger size (literally a larger number)
Other polite alternatives
Depending on the item (clothes, shoes, belt) or level of formality, you can use these variations:
Você pode me trazer um número maior, por favor?
English: Could you bring me a bigger size, please?
Tem esse modelo em um número maior?
English: Do you have this model in a bigger size?
Posso experimentar um tamanho maior?
English: Can I try a larger size? Note tamanho and número are both used for size; tamanho is common for clothes.
Tem uma largura maior para este sapato?
English: Is there a wider width for this shoe? Use largura when referring specifically to width.
Vocabulary to know
experimentar = to try on
tamanho = size (general, clothes)
número = size number (often for shoes)
maior = bigger, larger
maior número = larger size number
mais largo / mais larga = wider (masculine / feminine)
largura = width
provador = fitting room
por favor = please
obrigado / obrigada = thank you (male / female speaker)
How to ask depending on the item
Change the phrase slightly for shoes, shirts, or pants. Here are beginner-friendly options.
Shoes:
Posso experimentar esse sapato em um número maior?
English: Can I try this shoe in a bigger size?
If you mean width:
Tem esse sapato com largura maior?
English: Do you have this shoe with a wider width?
Shirts and jackets:
Posso experimentar essa camisa em um tamanho maior?
English: Can I try this shirt in a larger size?
Pants and skirts:
Tem esse modelo em tamanho maior?
English: Is this model available in a larger size?
Adding politeness
Attach por favor at the end for politeness. Use com licença to get someone’s attention politely before your question.
Examples:
Com licença, posso experimentar um tamanho maior, por favor?
Por favor, você pode me trazer um número maior?
Simple dialogues for the fitting room
Short dialogues help you hear how these phrases work in context. Each line is labeled so beginners can follow who is speaking.
Customer: Com licença, posso experimentar esse vestido em um tamanho maior?
Salesperson: Claro, vou buscar. Qual tamanho você quer?
Customer: Um M, por favor.
Salesperson: Tá bem. O provador fica ali.
Customer: Posso experimentar esses tênis em um número maior?
Salesperson: Sim, qual número você calça?
Customer: Calço 39, você tem 40?
Salesperson: Tenho sim. Vou pegar para você.
Common replies from staff
Familiarize yourself with typical responses so you understand what happens next.
Claro = Of course
Tenho sim = Yes, we have it
Não temos esse tamanho no momento = We don’t have that size right now
Vou verificar no estoque = I’ll check the stock
O provador fica ali = The fitting room is there
Você quer que eu traga o tamanho? = Do you want me to bring the size?
Polite follow-up questions and issues
If the size you need is not available, you can ask these follow-ups.
Vocês têm no estoque?
English: Do you have it in stock?
Quando vai chegar mais?
English: When will more arrive?
Tem esse modelo online?
English: Is this model online? Useful when shopping in a chain store.
Eu posso reservar esse tamanho?
English: Can I reserve this size? Good for popular items.
Asking for help with sizing
Sometimes you need advice about fit. Use these beginner-friendly phrases.
Esse modelo veste grande ou pequeno?
English: Does this model fit large or small?
Posso provar outro corte?
English: Can I try another cut/style?
Que tamanho você recomenda para mim?
English: What size do you recommend for me?
Common mistakes beginners make
Being aware of errors helps you avoid confusion in stores.
1. Using tamanho for shoes only. Use número for shoe sizes, tamanho for clothes.
2. Forgetting por favor or obrigada/obrigado. Politeness matters.
3. Mixing European Portuguese words. Stick to Brazilian forms like provador, loja, sapato.
4. Direct literal translations. Instead of could I try a wider size, ask using experimentar and maior or largura for width.
Pronunciation tips for beginners
Focus on a few sounds: r in experimentar sounds like an H in many Brazilian accents, and ão in então or botão is nasal. Speak slowly and clearly.
experimentar = ex-pe-ree-men-TAR (final r softer)
tamanho = ta-MA-nho (nh sounds like the ny in canyon)
número = NU-me-ro (stress on the first syllable)
Practical shopping scenario: step-by-step
Here is a simple sequence you can use in a real store.
1. Get the attention of a salesperson: Com licença
2. Ask for a bigger size: Posso experimentar um tamanho maior?
3. If they ask which size, answer with the number or letter: Um 40 or Um M
4. If not available, ask: Quando vai chegar mais?
5. Thank the salesperson: Obrigado or Obrigada
Examples for travel and everyday use
Short, realistic lines you can memorize.
Posso experimentar esse casaco em tamanho maior, por favor?
Tem esse modelo em 42?
Você pode checar no estoque se tem um número maior?
O sapato ficou apertado. Tem mais largo?
Tips to sound natural
Use por favor and obrigado/obrigada. Match gender when speaking about yourself with obrigado (male) or obrigada (female). Use simple, direct questions; Brazilians appreciate warmth—add a smile.
Practice with short role-plays before travel: one person is cliente, the other vendedor. Try different items: shoes, shirt, dress.
Conclusion
Knowing how to say could I try a wider size in Brazilian Portuguese makes shopping easy and pleasant. Use phrases like Posso experimentar um número maior? or Tem esse modelo em um tamanho maior?, add por favor, and listen for common staff replies like Claro or Vou verificar no estoque. With a few simple phrases, you can handle fitting rooms and find the right size confidently.
