Introduction
Shopping for clothes in Brazil is a common daily activity and a great chance to practice Portuguese. This article teaches useful Portuguese phrases for asking about clothing sizes, explains key words in English, and gives realistic beginner-friendly dialogues and tips for shopping in Brazilian stores or markets.
Why size vocabulary matters
Knowing how to ask about sizes helps you find the right fit and avoid confusion. Size words, numbers, and simple measurements are practical and used in stores, online shopping, markets, and when borrowing clothes from friends. This article focuses on common phrases and short dialogues you can use right away.
Basic size vocabulary in Brazilian Portuguese
Start with the essential words. The first time each main Portuguese term appears it is highlighted using strong tags.
tamanho — size (clothing or shoes)
número — number (used for shoe sizes)
P, M, G, GG — S, M, L, XL (letter sizes commonly used in Brazil)
calça — pants / trousers
camisa — shirt
blusa — blouse / sweater / top
vestido — dress
saia — skirt
sapato — shoe
meia — sock
provador — fitting room
Numbers and measurements
Numbers are important for shoe sizes and specific measurements. Shoe sizes in Brazil follow a numeric system similar to European sizes but often with local variation in stores.
36, 37, 38, 39, 40 — common shoe sizes
42, 44 — common men’s sizes for shirts or pants
To ask your size in general, you can use the word tamanho. For shoes, use número.
Essential phrases for asking about clothing sizes
Here are beginner-friendly phrases you will use most often. First appearance of each main phrase is in strong format.
Qual é o seu tamanho? — What is your size? (used when asking someone)
Qual é o meu tamanho? — What is my size?
Tem no meu tamanho? — Do you have this in my size?
Tem este vestido em M? — Do you have this dress in M?
Este sapato tem no número 38? — Does this shoe come in size 38?
Onde fica o provador? — Where is the fitting room?
Posso experimentar? — Can I try this on?
Isso veste bem? — Does this fit well?
How to ask politely
Brazilian Portuguese is generally polite and conversational. Use por favor and com licença for politeness. Include them when asking staff for help.
Com licença, tem este casaco no tamanho G, por favor? — Excuse me, do you have this coat in size L, please?
Por favor, onde está o provador? — Please, where is the fitting room?
Simple replies you will hear from store staff
Learn short, common responses so you can understand staff quickly.
Sim, temos. — Yes, we have it.
Não temos no momento. — We do not have it at the moment.
Temos no estoque. — We have it in stock (back room).
Temos só este tamanho. — We only have this size.
Experimente naquele provador. — Try it in that fitting room.
Serve bem. — It fits well.
Fica apertado. — It is tight.
Fica largo. — It is loose.
Polite clarifications and follow-up questions
Sometimes you need to clarify fit or request a different size. Use these phrases.
Tem um número maior/menor? — Do you have a larger/smaller size?
Posso trocar por outro tamanho? — Can I exchange for another size?
Qual é a medida da cintura/peito? — What is the waist/chest measurement?
Qual é a largura dos ombros? — What is the shoulder width?
Practical short dialogues for beginners
Simple role-play dialogues help you practice real situations. Each dialogue uses Brazilian Portuguese and shows common responses.
Dialogue 1 — Buying a shirt
Cliente: Com licença, essa camisa tem no tamanho M?
Vendedor: Sim, temos M e G.
Cliente: Posso experimentar?
Vendedor: O provador fica ali. Experimente à vontade.
Dialogue 2 — Shoe shopping
Cliente: Esse sapato tem no número 38?
Vendedor: Temos 37 e 39, mas não temos 38 no momento.
Cliente: Tem outro modelo no 38?
Vendedor: Vou checar no estoque.
Dialogue 3 — Asking about fit
Cliente: Esse vestido fica apertado no peito?
Vendedor: Fica um pouco justo. Você prefere provar o tamanho maior?
Cliente: Sim, por favor.
Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
Beginners often confuse tamanho and número or forget gender agreement in adjectives. Here are clear tips.
1. Using número for shirts: número is mainly for shoes and sometimes for children’s clothing sizes. For adult clothes use tamanho.
2. Gender agreement: adjectives must match the noun. Example: camisa pequena (small shirt), vestido pequeno (small dress). Do not say camisa pequeno.
3. Forgetting por favor and com licença: adding these makes interactions smoother, especially in crowded stores or markets.
4. Assuming international sizes: sizes labeled S, M, L may fit differently in Brazil. Try items on rather than assuming.
Tips for shopping in Brazilian stores and markets
Practical tips will help you negotiate sizes and find the right fit faster.
Tip 1: Always ask Onde fica o provador? before you choose several items. Fitting rooms can be small, and staff will direct you.
Tip 2: Try items on. Use Posso experimentar? so you get permission, especially in smaller shops.
Tip 3: Check the tag. Size labels often show P, M, G, GG and sometimes numbers for chest or waist measurements.
Tip 4: Ask about returns and exchanges with Posso trocar se não servir? so you know the store policy before buying.
Tip 5: Use simple measurement phrases if you want precise fit: Minha cintura mede 80 centímetros. Tem calças que sirvam?
Sample sentences you might see on tags or signs
Familiarize yourself with short phrases on labels and price tags that refer to size.
100% algodão — 100% cotton (material, not size, but common on tags)
Veste P ao GG — Fits S to XL
Confira nosso estoque — Check our stock
Troca em até 7 dias — Exchange within 7 days (store policy example)
Short practice dialogue for a market stall
Markets in Brazil are lively and sellers are friendly. This short dialogue shows a quick interaction.
Cliente: Quanto custa essa blusa tamanho M?
Vendedor: R$ 50. Tem M e G.
Cliente: Posso experimentar?
Vendedor: Sim, tem um espelho ali.
Useful quick replies you can memorize
Memorize these short replies to respond naturally.
Fica ótimo — It looks great / fits great
Fica apertado — It is tight
Fica largo — It is loose
Quero provar outro tamanho — I want to try another size
Vou levar este — I will take this
Conclusion
Learning how to ask about sizes in Brazilian Portuguese makes shopping easier and more enjoyable. Use the phrases and dialogues here when you visit stores, markets, or shop online. Practice the key words like tamanho, número, and item names, and remember polite phrases like por favor and com licença for smooth interactions.
