Introduction
Learning how to say I’ll take this in Brazilian Portuguese helps you navigate shops, markets, and daily interactions with confidence. This article explains common phrases, polite and informal options, pronunciation tips, and cultural notes so you can choose the right expression in different situations.
- Common ways to say I’ll take this
- How to adapt phrases for gender, number, and proximity
- Politeness and tone: formal vs informal situations
- Short, natural alternatives and slang
- Short dialogues for real-life situations
- Pronunciation tips and rhythm
- Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Usage notes and cultural tips
- Quick reference cheat sheet
- Conclusion
Common ways to say I’ll take this
There are several natural ways to express I’ll take this in Brazilian Portuguese depending on context and formality. Below are the most frequent options with explanations and examples.
1. Eu vou levar isto / Eu vou levar isto
Eu vou levar isto is a clear, slightly formal way to say I’ll take this. It literally means I am going to take this. You can also replace isto with isso or este/essa depending on the proximity and gender of the object.
Examples:
At a clothing store:
Eu vou levar esta camisa.
At a market:
Eu vou levar isto, por favor.
Usage note: In everyday speech Brazilians often shorten vou levar to vou levar or even levo, so you’ll commonly hear Eu levo.
2. Eu levo / Eu levo
Eu levo is a very natural, conversational phrase meaning I take it or I’ll take it. It is commonly used in shops, bakeries, and informal sales situations.
Examples:
Buying a snack:
Eu levo um pão de queijo.
Choosing a book:
Eu levo este romance.
Usage note: Eu levo is short and friendly. It fits most in-person transactions and is a safe default for learners.
3. Quero levar / Quero levar
Quero levar means I want to take or I want to buy. It expresses desire and is polite but direct. Use it when you want to emphasize that you want to purchase the item.
Examples:
At a handicraft fair:
Quero levar esse vaso.
At a grocery:
Quero levar três maçãs.
Usage note: Quero levar is slightly more assertive than Eu levo but very common in everyday speech.
4. Fica com or Fica com ele/ela for gifts
When offering to take something for someone or telling someone to keep an item, Brazilians use expressions like Fica com or Fica com ele. This is not a direct translation of I’ll take this when buying, but it’s useful socially.
Examples:
Offering a souvenir:
Fica com este presente.
Taking something someone else offers:
Ah, fica com ela, então eu levo essa.
Usage note: Use when giving or insisting someone keep an item, not when making a purchase.
How to adapt phrases for gender, number, and proximity
Brazilian Portuguese requires agreement in gender and number for demonstratives and some adjectives. Understanding this helps you say I’ll take this correctly.
Demonstratives: isto, isso, isto vs este/essa
Use isto or isto for something close to you but neutral/unspecified. Use isso or isso for something closer to the listener. Use este/esta or este/esta for a specific nearby item, matching gender: este (masculine), esta (feminine).
Examples:
Pointing to a hat you’re holding:
Eu vou levar este chapéu.
Pointing to a shoe near the seller:
Eu vou levar esse sapato.
Number and gender agreement
If you’re taking multiple items or an item with plural form, match the verb phrase accordingly. Example: Eu levo as camisas or Eu vou levar estes livros.
Examples:
Buying multiple:
Eu vou levar essas camisas.
Usage note: The verb form Eu levo does not change for plural objects, but demonstratives and articles do.
Politeness and tone: formal vs informal situations
Choosing the right expression depends on formality. In Brazil, everyday shopping is casual, but when dealing with elders, formal businesses, or service counters you might want to sound polite.
Polite options
To be polite, add por favor or use a more complete phrase like Eu gostaria de levar isto. Eu gostaria de levar is a polite conditional: I would like to take this.
Examples:
At a pharmacy:
Eu gostaria de levar este remédio, por favor.
Usage note: Use Eu gostaria de levar with strangers or in formal customer service contexts.
Informal options
Among friends, at a street vendor, or in a casual store you can use shorter phrases like Eu levo, Quero or even apenas Levo. Brazilian speakers often drop pronouns and say Levo isso, Quero isso, or Vou levar.
Examples:
From a friend:
Levo esse, obrigada.
Short, natural alternatives and slang
Brazilian Portuguese has quick, native-like ways to say I’ll take this that sound natural in fast conversation.
Levo
Levo can be used alone as a complete answer. It is compact and commonly used at markets and small shops.
Examples:
Vendor shows fruit:
Levo! Quanto é?
Vou querer
Vou querer is another casual option meaning I’ll want this or I’ll take it. It is frequently heard in restaurants and bars when ordering food or drinks.
Examples:
Ordering at a cafeteria:
Vou querer um café com leite.
Fica bom / Pode ser
These expressions don’t directly mean I’ll take this but are useful when agreeing to a suggestion or a deal. Pode ser means okay or it works; fica bom indicates it’s fine.
Examples:
Seller offers a discount:
Pode ser, eu levo.
Short dialogues for real-life situations
Below are short dialogues that show how these expressions are used naturally. Each line is in Brazilian Portuguese to help you see context and flow.
At a market
Vendedor: Quanto você quer das maçãs?
Cliente: Eu vou levar um quilo, por favor.
At a clothing store
Vendedora: Posso ajudar?
Cliente: Sim, eu levo essa blusa. Tem no tamanho M?
At a bakery
Balconista: Vai querer mais alguma coisa?
Cliente: Vou querer dois pães e um suco, por favor.
At a craft fair
Artista: Esse vaso é único.
Cliente: Eu levo esse vaso. Quanto custa?
Pronunciation tips and rhythm
Pronunciation helps you sound natural and be understood. Here are quick tips for common words used when saying I’ll take this.
Eu: sounds like ay-oo, often shortened to eu or just eu with reduced vowel in casual speech.
Vou: pronounced voh, like vo in vote but without the t.
Levar / levo: le- var (leh-VAHR), le- vo (LEH-vo). Stress is on the second syllable for levar and first syllable for levo.
Quero: KEH-ro, with clear r like in English k sound for many Brazilians, but varies by region.
Gostaria: goh-sta-REE-ah, softer and polite—used in formal requests.
Tip: Brazilians often link words when speaking, so Eu vou levar isto can sound like Eu-vou-levar-is-to. Practicing connected speech makes you blend in more naturally.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Here are typical errors learners make with these phrases and simple corrections.
Using European Portuguese forms: European Portuguese often uses different pronouns or verb forms. Stick to Brazilian structures like Eu levo, Vou querer, Eu vou levar to sound natural in Brazil.
Mixing demonstratives incorrectly: Remember to match gender and proximity. Use este/esta for items close to you and esse/essa for items close to the listener.
Overusing literal translations: Avoid saying I will take this word-for-word in English order. Use typical Portuguese orders: Eu levo isto, not Eu vou pegar isso in many sales contexts, though pegar can mean pick up in other contexts.
Usage notes and cultural tips
Beyond grammar and vocabulary, cultural awareness helps your phrase choice feel natural.
Politeness: Brazilians value friendly, warm interactions. Adding por favor and obrigada/obrigado when taking an item is common and appreciated.
Haggling: In markets, it is common to negotiate. Phrases like Pode fazer por X? or Fica por X reais? are helpful. After agreeing, use Eu levo to finalize the purchase.
Street vendors and small shops: Expect casual speech. Short forms like Levo or Vou levar are frequent. Smile and thank the seller—familiarity goes a long way.
Receipts and formal purchases: In stores where you need a receipt, the staff will guide the final steps. Saying Eu vou levar este, por favor is polite and clear.
Quick reference cheat sheet
Short list you can memorize for fast use:
Levo — I ll take it (informal, common)
Eu vou levar este/esta — I m going to take this (neutral/formal)
Quero levar esse/essa — I want to take this (direct/desire)
Eu gostaria de levar — I would like to take this (polite)
Vou querer — I ll want this / I ll have this (ordering food or drinks)
Conclusion
Mastering how to say I’ll take this in Brazilian Portuguese will make shopping and everyday interactions smoother and more enjoyable. Use Eu levo for casual purchases, Eu vou levar for clarity, and Eu gostaria de levar when you want to be polite. Pay attention to demonstratives and gender agreement, and practice the short dialogues to gain confidence.
