Introduction
Learning how to respond when someone asks if this is the right building is a practical skill for everyday life in Brazil. This article teaches common Brazilian Portuguese questions and replies, useful vocabulary, polite phrases, and short dialogues to help English-speaking learners communicate confidently in real situations.
- Key phrases and simple responses
- Polite replies and helpful directions
- Giving precise directions
- Short dialogues: elevator, street, and reception
- Formal vs informal language
- Using landmarks and public transit terms
- Polite refusals and what to say if you do not know
- Common mistakes and usage tips
- Useful mini-phrases to memorize
- Pronunciation tips
- Practice with situational templates
- Short role-play examples for learners
- Vocabulary recap
- Real-life listening practice suggestions
- Conclusion
Key phrases and simple responses
When a stranger approaches asking if this is the right building, they will often use a form of the verb ser or estar. The simplest direct questions and answers you should know are:
Question: Este é o prédio certo?
Answer: Sim, é este. or Não, não é.
Question: É aqui?
Answer: Sim, é aqui. or Não, é ali.
Usage note: Use ser for identity and basic description, and estar when pointing to location in the moment. Native Brazilians often mix them in casual speech; both are understood.
Polite replies and helpful directions
When you want to be polite and helpful, add phrases that soften your answer. These are useful if you need to correct the person or give directions.
Polite confirmation: Sim, é por aqui. means yes, it is around here or on this way.
Polite correction: Não, não é aqui. É na próxima rua. translates to no, it is not here. It is on the next street.
Helpful addition: Você pode entrar e perguntar na recepção. means you can go in and ask at the reception. This is common for office buildings and apartment lobbies.
Giving precise directions
If the building is nearby, Brazilians often use direction words and landmarks. Learn these short words to make directions natural:
left = esquerda
right = direita
straight ahead = em frente
next to = ao lado
across from = em frente de
Example long answer: Não, não é aqui. Vá duas quadras em frente, vire à direita e o prédio fica ao lado do supermercado.
This means no, it is not here. Go two blocks ahead, turn right and the building is next to the supermarket.
Short dialogues: elevator, street, and reception
Practice short dialogues to internalize common patterns. Below are native-like exchanges you will hear or use.
Situation: on the sidewalk
Pessoa A: Com licença, este é o prédio da clínica Santa Maria?
Pessoa B: Não, é mais adiante. Siga em frente e vire à esquerda.
Situation: outside an office complex
Pessoa A: Desculpe, é aqui o escritório da empresa Verde?
Pessoa B: Sim, pode entrar. A recepção fica à direita.
Situation: in an elevator
Pessoa A: Esse é o prédio 10?
Pessoa B: Sim, mas o seu andar é o sexto. Você está no prédio 12? Acho que esse é o 10.
Formal vs informal language
Brazilian Portuguese varies by formality. Use informal phrasing with friends and young people, formal phrasing in professional or respectful contexts.
Informal question: É aqui? — short and direct, good for casual encounters.
Formal question: Com licença, este é o prédio correto para o serviço público? — polite and respectful, suitable for older people, officials, or formal environments.
Formal reply: Com licença, não é aqui. O prédio fica na Rua das Flores, número 45.
The addition of com licença helps you sound polite.
Using landmarks and public transit terms
In cities, people rely on landmarks and transit words. Memorize a few transit and landmark terms to direct others smoothly.
Train station = estação
Bus stop = parada de ônibus
Square = praça
Corner = esquina
Example: Não é esse prédio. Desça na próxima parada de ônibus e o prédio fica em frente à praça.
This is a natural way to combine transit and landmarks to guide someone.
Polite refusals and what to say if you do not know
If you do not know the answer, use clear phrases to indicate uncertainty while remaining helpful.
I don’t know = Não sei.
I am not sure = Não tenho certeza.
Try asking = Você pode perguntar na loja ao lado.
Example: Desculpe, não sei. Talvez pergunte na padaria ao lado, eles vão saber. This is a respectful way to respond and suggest an action.
Common mistakes and usage tips
Beginners often confuse ser and estar. For location, both appear in casual speech, but the safest options are:
Use estar for temporary or immediate location: Está aqui?
Use ser for identity: É o prédio da escola?
Another mistake is literal translation of English expressions. For example, say ao lado instead of translating as next door literally. Brazilians also use contractions like na (em + a) and no (em + o); learning these makes speech sound natural.
Useful mini-phrases to memorize
Compact responses save time and sound fluent. Memorize short, high-frequency phrases that appear in everyday interactions.
Yes, this is the place = Sim, é aqui.
No, it’s over there = Não, é ali.
It is two blocks away = Fica a duas quadras.
You can ask at reception = Peça informações na recepção.
Pronunciation tips
Pronunciation matters for being understood. Focus on nasal vowels and open vs closed vowels common in Brazilian Portuguese.
Pronounce the nasal ão in não clearly but not exaggerated. The vowel o in prédio is open; listen to native speakers and repeat slowly. Use intonation to indicate questions: rising tone at the end for yes-no questions such as É aqui?
Practice with situational templates
These templates help you respond quickly depending on the situation. Replace the bracketed items with the correct place or direction.
Template for confirming: Sim, é [lugar]. Example: Sim, é o prédio 5.
Template for denying and giving simple directions: Não, não é aqui. Vá [direção] e [marco]. Example: Não, não é aqui. Vá em frente e vire à esquerda, o prédio é ao lado da farmácia.
Template for suggesting to ask: Não tenho certeza. Pergunte na [lugar]. Example: Não tenho certeza. Pergunte na portaria.
Short role-play examples for learners
Use these role-plays when practicing with a partner or speaking aloud alone. They simulate real interactions and build confidence.
Role-play 1 — Tourist looking for a museum
Turista: Desculpe, este é o prédio do museu?
Local: Não, é dois quarteirões mais à frente. Siga em frente e vire à direita.
Role-play 2 — Person checking an address
Pessoa A: Com licença, este é o bloco B?
Pessoa B: Sim, é este. O apartamento 203 fica no segundo andar.
Vocabulary recap
Quick list of essential words introduced in this article. First appearance is highlighted earlier in context.
prédio — building
aqui — here
ali — there
rua — street
quadra — block
recepção / portaria — reception / concierge
Real-life listening practice suggestions
To improve comprehension, listen to Brazilian Portuguese in context: short street interviews, travel vlogs, or transit announcements. Pay attention to how locals confirm or correct locations, and mimic the rhythm and intonation for questions like É aqui?
Conclusion
Responding to questions about whether a building is the right place is a practical skill that blends basic verbs, directional vocabulary, and polite expressions. With the short dialogues, templates, and pronunciation tips above, you can respond clearly, helpfully, and naturally in Brazilian Portuguese when someone asks if this is the right building.
