How to say “Can I smell that one?” in Portuguese

Introduction

Learning simple, polite requests in Brazilian Portuguese helps you connect in everyday situations, from markets to perfumery counters. This article explains how to say Can I smell that one? in practical Brazilian Portuguese, plus useful vocabulary, example sentences, short dialogues, common replies, and beginner tips to sound natural and polite.

Basic translation and meaning

The most direct way to ask Can I smell that one? in Brazilian Portuguese is Posso cheirar esse? This is suitable when pointing to an item like a perfume bottle, soap, coffee beans, or fruit at a market. Posso is the polite form of may/can, cheirar means to smell, and esse refers to that one (masculine neutral for objects).

You can also use a slightly more formal or complete version: Posso cheirar esse aqui? Adding aqui (here) emphasizes the object close to you or the one you are pointing to.

Alternatives and variations

Beginners will benefit from a few common variants that change tone or politeness level. Try these depending on context.

Posso cheirar esse? — direct and polite for stores and markets.

Posso sentir esse cheiro? — literally Can I feel/sense that smell? Slightly more formal and less common, but clear.

Posso sentir esse perfume? — Use when you specifically mean perfume. Perfume is masculine in Portuguese.

Posso pegar e cheirar? — Can I pick it up and smell? Useful when items are behind a counter or need handling permission.

Key words explained

Posso — I can / may. This is the polite first-person form of poder (to be able to/may).

Cheirar — to smell (verb). Use with objects: cheirar o perfume, cheirar o café.

Sentir — to feel or sense. Sentir o cheiro means to sense the smell.

Esse / essa — that (demonstrative pronouns). Use esse for masculine nouns and essa for feminine nouns. Example: esse perfume, essa vela.

Aqui — here. Adds clarity when referring to an object near you or on the counter.

Pegar — to pick up, to take. Useful when you need permission to handle an item.

Gender and demonstratives: quick guide for beginners

Portuguese nouns are gendered, so the demonstrative (this/that) must match the noun. For most beginner contexts:

Use esse with masculine nouns: esse perfume, esse sabonete.

Use essa with feminine nouns: essa vela, essa maçã.

If you point to something very close, you can use este (this one), but beginners can safely stick with esse/essa for common interactions.

Polite phrases and softeners

To sound friendlier or more polite, add one of these before or after your request:

Por favor — please. Example: Posso cheirar esse, por favor?

Com licença — excuse me. Use when interrupting or approaching a counter. Example: Com licença, posso cheirar esse?

Se não for incômodo — if it is not a bother. Example: Se não for incômodo, posso cheirar esse?

Practical contexts and examples

Below are everyday situations where you might ask to smell something, with short realistic phrases.

At a perfume counter

Cliente: Com licença, posso cheirar esse?
Vendedor: Claro, pode pegar. Este é o lançamento.

At a soap or candle shop

Cliente: Posso cheirar essa vela, por favor?
Vendedora: Pode sim, ela é de lavanda.

At a coffee stall

Cliente: Posso cheirar esse grão de café?
Barista: Sim, cheire à vontade — é arábica do sul de Minas.

At a fruit market

Comprador: Posso cheirar essa manga para ver se está madura?
Feirante: Pode, está bem doce.

Short dialogues for practice

These simple exchanges help you hear natural responses and practice the phrase in context.

Dialogue 1 — Perfume shop

Cliente: Com licença, posso cheirar esse perfume?
Vendedor: Pode sim. Eu recomendo esse para o dia a dia.
Cliente: Obrigado, está ótimo.

Dialogue 2 — Handmade soap stall

Cliente: Posso cheirar essa barra de sabão?
Feirante: Claro! Esse tem essência de coco.
Cliente: Humm, adoro coco.

Common replies and responses

Expect these typical replies from sellers or friends.

Claro — of course.

Pode sim — yes, you can.

Com certeza — for sure / certainly.

Não no momento — not at the moment (if they prefer not to have it handled).

Prefere que eu abra? — Would you like me to open it? (useful for sealed items)

Politeness and cultural tips

Brazilians are generally informal and warm, but in shops and markets it is polite to ask before touching or smelling merchandise. Use com licença when approaching a stall and por favor when asking. When someone hands you an item, say obrigado/a if you are male/female.

Avoid grabbing multiple items at once — handle one at a time. If a store has testers behind the counter, ask if you can pegar e cheirar (pick up and smell) rather than reaching over the counter.

Common mistakes beginners make

Using the wrong demonstrative: Saying essa perfume is incorrect. Use esse perfume because perfume is masculine.

Forgetting por favor or com licença: This can sound abrupt in a store. Adding one small polite word makes a big difference.

Literal translation: Avoid word-for-word English structure like Can I smell that? = Posso cheirar aquilo? While that is understandable, esse/essa is more natural in direct pointing situations.

Quick cheat sheet for common items

Perfume — perfume (masculine): Posso cheirar esse perfume?

Candle — vela (feminine): Posso cheirar essa vela?

Soap — sabão/barra de sabão (masculine/feminine): Posso cheirar essa barra de sabão? or Posso cheirar esse sabão?

Coffee — café (masculine): Posso cheirar esse café?

Fruit — fruta (feminine), or use the specific fruit: Posso cheirar essa maçã?

Pronunciation tips for beginners

Posso — pronounce as POH-soo, with stress on the first syllable.

Cheirar — pronounce as sheh-ee-RAR or shah-ee-RAR; the initial ch sounds like sh in show.

Esse / essa — pronounce ESS-ee / ESS-ah.

Perfume — per-FOO-mee, stress on the second syllable.

Putting it all together: examples you can use right away

Simple polite request: Posso cheirar esse?

With please: Posso cheirar esse, por favor?

When you need to pick it up: Posso pegar e cheirar?

When referring to a feminine item: Posso cheirar essa?

When you want to be extra polite: Se não for incômodo, posso cheirar esse?

Useful follow-up questions

If the seller lets you smell, you may want to ask more:

Esse tem cheiro forte? — Does this have a strong scent?

Esse é para homens ou para mulheres? — Is this for men or women?

Tem tester? — Do you have a tester?

Summary of best beginner practices

Always match the demonstrative to the noun gender. Use polite words like por favor and com licença. Choose cheirar for general smelling and sentir o cheiro for sensing the smell. When in doubt, point and use Posso cheirar esse? or Posso cheirar essa? depending on the item.

Conclusion

Asking Can I smell that one? in Brazilian Portuguese is quick to learn and highly practical. Use Posso cheirar esse? or Posso cheirar essa?, add por favor or com licença for politeness, and match the demonstrative to the noun gender. With these simple phrases and the sample dialogues above, you will feel confident asking to smell items in shops, markets, and social situations.