Introduction
Learning how to ask for a different color when shopping is one of the most useful phrases for travelers and beginners in Brazilian Portuguese. This article explains clearly how to say and use the phrase Do you have this in black? in Brazilian Portuguese, with pronunciation tips, related vocabulary, simple dialogues, and common responses you will hear at stores, markets, and online shops.
Core phrase and literal translation
The simplest and most natural way to ask Do you have this in black? in Brazilian Portuguese is Você tem isto em preto?
Breakdown in English:
Você = you (formal but commonly used in Brazil)
tem = have / do you have
isto = this (close to the speaker; neutral)
em = in / in the color
preto = black
Pronunciation tips
Pronounce Você tem isto em preto? like voh-SEH tehm EE-stoo ehm PREH-too. Keep the syllable stress on the capitalized parts. Brazilian Portuguese is syllable-timed and vowels are usually clearer than in English.
Alternatives: some people say isso instead of isto. Both are fine in everyday speech, though isso often refers to something slightly farther from the speaker.
Common short variations
Use these shorter or more casual versions depending on the situation.
Tem isso em preto? — Common, casual, and very natural in stores.
Tem este em preto? — Use este when pointing to a specific item close by; similar meaning.
Tem na cor preta? — Literally Do you have it in the color black? Slightly more formal.
Vocês têm isso em preto? — Use when speaking to a shop with multiple staff or using the plural you (vocês).
When to use each form
Choose Você tem isto em preto? or Tem isso em preto? in small shops and markets. Use Vocês têm isso em preto? at stores where you address the team. Use Tem na cor preta? when you want to emphasize the color rather than the specific item.
Useful related vocabulary
These words help you expand questions and responses when shopping.
preto — black
branco — white
azul — blue
vermelho — red
tamanho — size
pequeno — small
médio — medium
grande — large
cor — color
modelo — model/style
provador — fitting room
experimente — try it on / try
Color examples in sentences
Tem este casaco em preto?
Vocês têm camiseta branca no tamanho M?
Esse sapato vem em azul?
Polite phrases and store etiquette
Adding a polite opener or closer makes your question sound friendly and natural.
Com licença, tem isso em preto?
Desculpe, vocês têm esse modelo em preto?
Muito obrigado(a) — thank you. Add obrigado if you are male, obrigada if you are female.
Pronunciation and gender note
Obrigado/Obrigada do not change the rest of the phrase. They simply match the speaker’s gender and are used when thanking someone. For example: Muito obrigado if you identify as male, Muito obrigada if you identify as female.
Short dialogues: shopping scenarios
Dialogue at a clothing store — casual
Customer: Tem isso em preto?
Salesperson: Temos sim. Que tamanho você usa?
Customer: Uso M. Posso experimentar?
Salesperson: Claro, o provador fica ali.
Dialogue at a shoe store — more formal
Customer: Com licença, esse modelo tem na cor preta?
Salesperson: Sim, temos no número 38. Quer que eu traga?
Customer: Por favor, traga um 38 e um 39.
Dialogue for online purchase over chat
Customer: Boa tarde. Esse casaco está disponível em preto?
Support: Boa tarde! Sim, temos. Deseja ver fotos do preto?
Customer: Por favor, envie as fotos e o preço.
Notes on these dialogues
Useprovador for fitting room. Use numbers for sizes the same way as English but say them as numbers: traga um 38 and not thirty-eight.
Common replies you will hear
Responses from staff in a store can vary. Here are common ones with translations and what they mean.
Temos sim — We do have it (affirmative, they can find it).
Não temos — We do not have it (not available).
Está esgotado — It is sold out.
Temos em outra cor — We have it in another color.
Chega na semana que vem — It arrives next week (restock info).
How to respond if you are the customer
Obrigado(a), vou pensar — Thank you, I’ll think about it.
Posso experimentar? — Can I try it on?
Tem desconto? — Is there a discount?
Common mistakes beginners make
Mixing isto and isso incorrectly. Use isto for something very close to you. Use isso for something the seller or another person is holding or pointing to. In practice, both are widely understood.
Using o/a wrong with colors. Colors in Portuguese agree grammatically with the noun they describe. But when asking generally about color for an item, using the bare color word is fine: Tem isso em preto? If you refer to a specific item, you might say Tem essa blusa em preto? because blusa is feminine; both forms are commonly understood.
Forgetting plural agreement with vocês. When addressing multiple staff or a store, use têm with vocês: Vocês têm isso em preto? not vocês tem.
Examples showing agreement
Tem essa blusa em preto? — Is this blouse available in black? (blusa = feminine)
Vocês têm sapatos pretos no número 40? — Do you have black shoes in size 40?
Practical tips for real situations
If you point to an item, combine gesture with your phrase: Tem isso em preto? Pointing helps. Keep your tone friendly and add com licença if you need to get the salesperson’s attention.
When unsure about size names, use numbers or bring your current item for comparison: Você tem esse número? or Tem algo parecido com este?
In markets and informal stores, sellers may use more regional or slang words. Stick to the standard phrases above and you will be understood.
Useful mini-phrases to memorize
Tem isso em preto?
Vocês têm isso em preto?
Tem na cor preta?
Posso experimentar?
Tem no meu tamanho?
Resources for practicing
Practice by role-playing simple shopping dialogs with a friend or language partner. Use local Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation videos to hear how speakers say tenho, tem, você, and colors. Try listening to short store interaction clips or use language apps that focus on phrases for travel and shopping.
Keep a small notebook of colors and sizes so you can quickly point and ask in real shops. Repetition in real contexts helps build confidence faster than memorizing alone.
Conclusion
Asking Do you have this in black? in Brazilian Portuguese is straightforward and practical. Start with Você tem isto em preto? or the casual Tem isso em preto?, learn a few related words and polite phrases, and practice short role-play dialogs. These simple tools will make shopping in Brazil much easier and more enjoyable for beginners.
