How to say “Can you move it a little?” in Portuguese

Introduction

Learning how to ask someone to move something a little is a practical, everyday skill in Brazilian Portuguese. This article explains multiple polite and casual ways to say Can you move it a little? in Brazilian Portuguese, explains key words, gives example sentences, short dialogues, and useful tips for beginners.

Basic phrases to ask someone to move something a little

Start with a clear, polite phrase that fits most situations. The most direct, commonly used sentence is Você pode mover isso um pouco? This is easy to understand and polite enough for strangers or service situations.

Você pode mover isso um pouco? — Can you move it a little?

Other natural alternatives you will hear in Brazil:

Você pode empurrar isso um pouco? — Can you push it a little?

Você consegue mexer isso um pouco? — Can you move/adjust it a little? (a bit less formal)

Desce um pouco? — Move it down a little? (very casual, often used when asking someone to lower something)

Key words explained

Understanding the components makes it easier to adapt phrases to different contexts.

Você — you (singular, polite or neutral). Use this when speaking directly to one person.

Pode — can (from poder). A polite modal verb commonly used in requests.

Consegue — can/manages (from conseguir). Slightly more informal.

Mover — to move. Use when shifting an object from one place to another.

Empurrar — to push. Use when action requires pushing rather than picking up.

Mexer — to move/adjust/touch. Useful when you mean small adjustments.

Isso — this/that (neutral demonstrative pronoun). Replace with isto occasionally if referring to something very near you.

Um pouco — a little. A polite qualifier to make the request less abrupt.

Polite vs casual forms

Choose your tone depending on who you talk to: a waiter, bus driver, friend, or family member.

Polite and neutral:

Você pode mover isso um pouco, por favor? — Can you move it a little, please?

O senhor pode mover isso um pouco? — Can you move it a little, sir? (formal, when addressing an older person or service staff more formally)

Casual (friends, family):

Consegue mexer isso um pouquinho? — Can you move that a little bit?

Empurra isso só um pouco. — Push that just a little. (direct, informal)

Contextual examples: at the restaurant

In a restaurant you might ask a waiter to move a plate or make room.

Example 1:

Você pode mover esse prato um pouco pra direita, por favor?
Can you move this plate a little to the right, please?

Example 2:

Tem como empurrar a cadeira só um pouco?
Can you push the chair just a little?

Contextual examples: on public transport

On buses or trains, space is tight. Use polite, brief requests.

Example 1:

Você pode mexer a bolsa um pouquinho? Preciso sentar.
Can you move your bag a little? I need to sit.

Example 2:

Desce só um pouco a mochila, por favor.
Move the backpack down just a bit, please.

Contextual examples: in stores and shops

When asking a shop employee to adjust items or clear space.

Example 1:

Você pode mover essas caixas um pouco pra trás? Preciso pegar o produto.
Can you move these boxes a little back? I need to get the product.

Example 2:

Consegue mexer esse manequim só um pouco pra cá?
Can you move that mannequin a little this way?

Contextual examples: at home or with friends

Informal phrases are common with family and friends. You can be brief and friendly.

Example 1:

Empurra só um pouquinho, por favor.
Push it just a little, please.

Example 2:

Você consegue mexer a almofada um pouco? Preciso sentar melhor.
Can you move the cushion a little? I need to sit better.

Short beginner-friendly dialogues

Dialogues show natural rhythm and responses. Keep them short and practical.

Dialogue 1 — at a café:

Cliente: Você pode mover isso um pouco, por favor?
Atendente: Claro, pra qual lado você quer que eu mova?
Cliente: Só um pouquinho pra direita, obrigado.

Dialogue 2 — on a bus:

Passageiro A: Consegue mexer a bolsa um pouquinho?
Passageiro B: Posso, sim. Pronto.
Passageiro A: Obrigado!

Dialogue 3 — at home:

Amigo A: Empurra isso só um pouco.
Amigo B: Ta bom, quer mais pra frente ou pra trás?
Amigo A: Mais pra frente, por favor.

Variations and add-ons

You can add specifics to be clearer: direction, distance, or reason.

Pra cima / pra baixo — up / down

Pra frente / pra trás — forward / back

Só um pouquinho — just a tiny bit

Um centímetro — a centimeter (for precise adjustments)

Examples:

Você pode mover isso só um pouquinho pra trás?
Can you move that just a little back?

Consegue mexer isso um centímetro pra cima?
Can you move that one centimeter up?

Politeness tips for beginners

Small words make requests sound friendlier. Use por favor or obrigado/obrigada appropriately.

Always say por favor when asking a stranger for help.

Say obrigado if a man helped you and obrigada if a woman helped you, or obrigado as a neutral default among friends in informal contexts.

Use com licença to get someone’s attention before making the request in crowded places.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Beginners often make predictable errors. Here are a few and fixes:

Using the wrong demonstrative: say isso for nearby objects and aquilo for distant objects. If unsure, use isso.

Forgetting por favor: adds abruptness. Always add por favor in public or formal interactions.

Confusing mover and mexer: use mover for larger relocations and mexer for small adjustments. Empurrar indicates pushing specifically.

Incorrect gender in obrigado/obrigada: match the speaker. If you are female, say obrigada; if male, say obrigado. In neutral contexts with mixed groups, the masculine form is commonly used informally.

Quick reference phrase list

Você pode mover isso um pouco? — Can you move it a little?

Você pode empurrar isso um pouco? — Can you push it a little?

Você consegue mexer isso um pouquinho? — Can you move/adjust it a little?

Desce um pouco? — Move it down a little? (very casual)

Por favor — Please

Com licença — Excuse me / may I get by

Obrigado / Obrigada — Thank you (male/female)

How to practice these phrases naturally

Practice by imagining real situations: at a café, in a bus, at home. Repeat short dialogues aloud, swapping in different objects and directions. Record yourself to check pronunciation and intonation. Start with polite forms and gradually try casual versions with friends.

Conclusion

Asking someone to move something a little is a simple but essential skill. Use phrases like Você pode mover isso um pouco? or Você consegue mexer isso um pouquinho?, add por favor for politeness, and choose verbs like mover, empurrar, or mexer depending on the action. With the vocabulary, examples, and short dialogues here, you can handle everyday situations confidently in Brazilian Portuguese.