What to say in Portuguese when making a copy

Introduction

Knowing what to say in Portuguese when making a copy is a practical skill for work, school, or daily errands in Brazil. This article teaches common phrases, short dialogues, and polite ways to ask for copies at a copy shop, office, or with a colleague. You will get vocabulary, pronunciation tips, and usage notes to sound natural and confident.

Basic vocabulary for making copies

Start with a few essential words you will hear or need to use. Each first appearance is bolded and later uses are emphasized.

cópia — copy

xerox — photocopy (common informal term in Brazil)

impressora — printer

scanner — scanner

arquivo — file

folha — sheet, page

frente e verso — double-sided

preto e branco — black and white

colorida — color

How to ask for a simple copy at a copy shop

When you arrive at a copy shop, use a polite greeting and a clear request. In Brazil, most copy shops are called papelarias, copiadoras, or apenas xerox. Below are short, natural dialogues and phrases you can use.

Polite opening phrases

Bom dia, quero fazer umas cópias, por favor.

Bom dia, preciso de xerox destes documentos.

Specific requests

To ask for a specific number of copies, include the amount and the quality options.

Quero 10 cópias, preto e branco, por favor.

Podem ser 5 cópias coloridas, frente e verso?

When you have the original and want identical copies

Deixo o original aqui. Pode fazer 20 cópias em preto e branco?

Você pode usar este arquivo no pen drive para imprimir?

When the shop asks for details

Ask or respond using these phrases to specify paper size, duplex, and color:

Tamanho A4 ou A3?

Precisa em frente e verso?

Deseja colorida ou preto e branco?

How to request copies at work or school

Making copies in a shared office or at school often requires a slightly different tone — more casual and collaborative. Use these phrases with colleagues or administrative staff.

Informal requests to colleagues

When asking a colleague, you can be brief and friendly.

Você pode me emprestar a impressora por um minuto?

Consegue me fazer 15 cópias rapidinho?

Requests to administrative staff

When speaking with administrative staff, be polite and clear about format and urgency.

Bom dia. Preciso de 30 cópias deste relatório em preto e branco. É possível até às 10h?

É urgente. Pode imprimir em frente e verso para economizar papel?

When you need scanning or digital copies

Ask for digital versions when you want to send or save files.

Você pode scannerizar este documento e me enviar por e-mail?

Preciso do arquivo em PDF. Pode salvar como PDF?

At the self-service copier

Many places offer self-service machines. Learn the basic commands and phrases to follow instructions and get help if needed.

Common machine labels and buttons

Look for these labels on the machine or screen:

Copiar — copy

Imprimir — print

Digitalizar — scan

Origem — source (where the original is placed)

Destino — destination (where the file will be saved or printed)

Iniciar — start

Cancelar — cancel

How to ask for help if the machine jams

If the machine jams or you need assistance, say:

Desculpe, deu problema na máquina. Pode me ajudar?

A máquina travou e não está imprimindo. O que faço?

Payments, prices, and negotiation

Understanding how payment and pricing works will help you avoid confusion. Prices are usually per page and vary by color and duplex options.

Asking about prices

Quanto custa uma cópia em preto e branco?

Quanto fica 50 cópias coloridas frente e verso?

Paying methods

Many shops accept cash or card. If you plan to pay with card, check first:

Aceitam cartão?

Posso pagar com PIX?

Negotiating for large jobs

For large amounts, you can ask for a discount politely:

Faz um desconto para 500 cópias?

Tem preço especial para impressão de um livro?

Politeness and cultural tips

Brazilians appreciate politeness and small talk. A friendly opening and thank you go a long way. Use these simple phrases to be courteous.

Basic polite phrases

Por favor — please

Obrigado / Obrigada — thank you (male speakers use obrigado; female speakers use obrigada)

Com licença — excuse me (to get someone’s attention)

Small talk and friendliness

In many copy shops, a small friendly comment can create rapport:

Bom dia, tudo bem? Só vou fazer umas cópias.

Tem sido um dia movimentado?

Common short dialogues — real-life scenarios

Below are short dialogues that show natural interactions at a copy shop, office, or library. Line breaks are inserted for clarity where appropriate.

Scenario 1: Quick copy at a corner shop
Cliente: Bom dia, posso fazer 20 cópias?
Atendente: Claro. Preto e branco ou colorida?
Cliente: Preto e branco, por favor. Frente e verso?
Cliente: Sim, frente e verso. Quanto fica?
Atendente: R$ 6,00.
Cliente: Aqui está. Obrigado.

Scenario 2: Printing from a flash drive at work
Funcionário: Você pode imprimir este arquivo do meu pen drive?
Secretária: Posso. Em A4 e colorida?
Funcionário: Sim, 10 cópias, por favor.
Secretária: Pronto, já está. Deseja que eu deixe na sua mesa?
Funcionário: Sim, obrigada.

Scenario 3: Scanning and sending by email at a library
Usuário: Bom dia, podem digitalizar estes documentos e enviar para o meu e-mail?
Atendente: Claro. Qual o seu e-mail?
Usuário: [email protected]
Atendente: Tudo bem, vou escanear e enviar em PDF.

Usage notes: formal vs informal language

Brazilian Portuguese has informal and polite forms, similar to English. Use formal forms with strangers or staff if you want to be polite.

Informal: Você pode me ajudar? — use with friends or colleagues.

Formal: O senhor pode me ajudar? / A senhora pode me ajudar? — use with older people or when you want to be very polite.

For most copy shops and casual interactions, the informal você is perfectly acceptable and common. However, when speaking with administrative staff or in institutions, adding senhor/senhora or the polite por favor and obrigado/obrigada is a good choice.

Pronunciation tips and helpful reminders

Some Portuguese words have sounds unfamiliar to English speakers. These tips will help your pronunciation feel natural when making requests.

The c in cópia sounds like K. Stress is on the first syllable: CO-pia.

Xerox is pronounced SHEH-roks or ZEH-roks depending on region; both are understood but SHEH-roks is very common.

Frente e verso — frente sounds like FREN-chee and verso like VEH-rso; say them together smoothly for double-sided.

Preto e branco — preto sounds PRAY-too; branco sounds BRAHN-coo.

Advanced phrases and variations

As you become more comfortable, you can use slightly more advanced or specific phrases to handle unusual requests.

Preciso de acabamento, por favor. Pode encadernar estas cópias? — I need finishing, can you bind these copies?

Tem papel couché para impressão colorida? — Do you have coated paper for color printing?

Pode ajustar a qualidade para alta resolução? Vou usar este material para apresentação. — Can you set the quality to high resolution?

Digital and remote requests

If you need someone elsewhere to make copies for you, send a clear message with these elements: quantity, color, duplex, and file attachment.

Mensagem exemplo para um colega:
Oi, consegue imprimir 30 cópias deste arquivo?
PDF em anexo.
Preto e branco, frente e verso. Obrigado.

Troubleshooting common issues

Here are brief solutions for frequent problems you might encounter when making copies.

Machine out of paper: Pode repor o papel, por favor? — can you refill the paper?
Poor print quality: A impressão está ruim. Pode ajustar a configuração de qualidade?
Wrong size: Errei no tamanho das páginas. Tem como imprimir em A3 em vez de A4?

Regional variations and vocabulary notes

Brazil is large and vocabulary can vary. A few regional differences to be aware of:

Xerox is widely used informally for photocopies, even though it is a brand name. Some places use cópia more formally.

Papelaria, copiadora, and gráfica are common names for places that make copies and print materials. Gráfica often handles larger print jobs, books, and professional binding.

Practical checklist before making copies

Use this short checklist mentally to avoid mistakes when you need copies quickly.

1. Check number of copies and color options.
2. Decide on single-sided or frente e verso.
3. Confirm paper size (A4, A3).
4. If digital, confirm file type (PDF recommended).
5. Ask about price and payment methods.
6. Thank the person who helped: Obrigado/Obrigada.

Conclusion

With these phrases, dialogues, and tips you will be able to confidently ask for copies in Brazilian Portuguese at shops, offices, and libraries. Practice the vocabulary and polite expressions, and pay attention to simple pronunciation cues to sound natural. Soon making photocopies will be an easy, routine part of your Portuguese interactions.