How to say “Can I try this on?” in Portuguese

Introduction

Knowing how to ask to try something on is essential when shopping in Brazil. This article teaches beginner-friendly Brazilian Portuguese phrases, vocabulary, and short dialogues to help you say and understand Can I try this on? in stores, markets, and fitting rooms.

Key phrase: How to say Can I try this on? in Brazilian Portuguese

The simplest and most natural way to ask Can I try this on? is Posso experimentar isto?

Other common variations include Posso experimentar isso? and Posso provar isto?

Why these options are useful

Posso is the polite first-person singular form of can or may. Experimentar and provar both mean to try on or to try, with experimentar slightly more formal and provar more casual. Isto and isso refer to this/that item; in a store you can use either depending on proximity.

Useful vocabulary for trying on clothes

Posso — can I / may I

Experimentar — to try on (clothes, shoes)

Provar — to try (also used for food, but common for clothes)

Isto — this (near the speaker)

Isso — that (near the listener)

Esse — that (masculine)

Essa — that (feminine)

Provador — fitting room

Tamanho — size

Maior — bigger

Menor — smaller

Common polite phrases and follow-ups

Onde fica o provador? — Where is the fitting room?

Tem outro tamanho? — Do you have another size?

Tem este na cor preta? — Do you have this in black?

Posso pagar depois que experimentar? — Can I pay after I try it on?

Você pode me ajudar com esse zíper? — Can you help me with this zipper?

Practical store dialogue: basic example 1

Customer: Posso experimentar isto?
Shop assistant: Claro, os provadores ficam ali.
Customer: Obrigada. Tem tamanho maior?
Assistant: Sim, vou buscar um número maior.

Practical store dialogue: basic example 2 (shoestore)

Customer: Posso provar esses sapatos?
Assistant: Claro, que número você calça?
Customer: Eu calço 38.
Assistant: Eu trago o 38 e o 39 para você experimentar.

How to change formality and politeness

For polite interactions use posso + verb. You can add por favor at the end to be more polite: Posso experimentar isto, por favor?

To sound casual with friends or store clerks you know, you can drop posso and say Vou experimentar isto when you indicate your intent, but in most stores it’s better to ask permission.

Short phrases for replies you might hear

Claro — Of course

Vai lá — Go ahead

Os provadores são ali — The fitting rooms are there

Temos só até o 44 — We only have up to size 44

Fica bem — It fits well

How to ask for help with size or color

Use Tem outro tamanho? when asking for additional sizes. If you want another color ask Tem em outra cor?

Example: Posso experimentar isso? Tem em outra cor?

Practical tips for beginners

Pointing at the item helps: Brazilians often rely on gestures. Combine a gesture with Posso experimentar isto?

Remember gender agreement for adjectives and demonstratives: essa blusa (this blouse) vs esse casaco (this coat).

If you are unsure of the word for the item, use demonstratives plus gestures: Posso experimentar isso?

Common mistakes to avoid

Avoid mixing European pronouns or spellings; stick with Brazilian usage like isto/isso. Do not use overly literal English translations such as *Can I test this? — better to use experimentar or provar.

Don’t forget to match gender: say essa saia for skirt, not esse saia.

Avoid saying only provar in formal settings if you want to be polite; Posso experimentar? is universally safe.

More beginner-friendly examples

Posso experimentar essa blusa?

Posso experimentar esse casaco no tamanho M?

Posso provar os sapatos no meu número?

Onde fica o provador, por favor?

Tem esse vestido em outro tamanho?

Short scenario: shopping at a market

Vendor: Posso ajudar?
Buyer: Posso experimentar essa jaqueta?
Vendor: Claro, experimente ali na sombra.

Short scenario: buying a hat or accessory

Customer: Posso provar este chapéu?
Assistant: Sim, fique à vontade.

Pronunciation notes for beginners

Posso is pronounced like POH-soo. Experimentar sounds like eh-speh-ree-men-TAR, with the stress on the last syllable. Provar sounds like PROH-var. Demonstratives: isto IS-too, isso EE-soo.

When to use experimentar vs provar

Use experimentar when you emphasize trying on clothing, shoes, or a full fit. Use provar for trying clothes too, and also for tasting food. Both are fine in stores; listen for local preference.

Quick reference cheat-sheet

Posso experimentar isto? — Can I try this on?

Onde fica o provador? — Where is the fitting room?

Tem outro tamanho? — Do you have another size?

Posso provar isso, por favor? — Can I try that on, please?

Conclusion

Asking to try something on in Brazilian Portuguese is straightforward. Use Posso experimentar isto? or Posso provar isso?, add por favor for politeness, and combine with simple vocabulary like provador and tamanho. With these phrases and short dialogues, beginners can shop confidently and politely in Brazil.