Introduction
Learning how to say I will choose this one in Portuguese helps you make decisions smoothly while shopping, ordering, or deciding among options in Brazil. This article covers natural phrases, pronunciation tips, polite variations, and short dialogues so you can confidently express your choice in everyday situations.
- Core phrases to say I will choose this one
- Polite and formal variations
- Expressions for immediate selection
- Choosing between options: phrases for comparisons
- Short dialogues with natural context
- Pronunciation tips and stress patterns
- Usage notes and regional variations
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Gender and number agreement
- Useful related vocabulary
- Mini phrase list for instant use
- Conclusion
Core phrases to say I will choose this one
Start with simple, direct expressions that Brazilians use often. The most common verb for choose is escolher. Use these phrases when pointing at an item, selecting a menu option, or deciding between people or ideas.
Direct, informal choices
Eu vou escolher este — I will choose this one (neutral, slightly formal).
Example: Eu vou escolher este, por favor.
Eu vou escolher este is clear and polite enough for most everyday interactions such as markets or stores.
Vou escolher este — I’ll choose this one (more natural, conversational).
Example: Vou escolher este. Quanto custa?
Vou escolher este is frequently used in spoken Brazilian Portuguese because omitting the subject is common.
Colloquial, shorter options
Este — This one (pointing, very casual).
Example: Este, por favor.
Este works when context is clear; often used in fast interactions like cafeteria lines.
Fico com este — I’ll take this one (idiomatic and common).
Example: Fico com este, é exatamente o que eu queria.
Fico com este literally means I stay with this one but is a common way to say I will take this one, especially when buying or choosing food, clothes, or gifts.
Polite and formal variations
In formal situations or when you want to be extra polite—such as in a restaurant, with elders, or during a service interaction—use slightly more formal constructions.
Polite and slightly formal expressions
Eu vou optar por este — I am going to opt for this one (more formal).
Example: Eu vou optar por este, por favor, e poderia embrulhar para presente?
Eu vou optar por este is good for formal customer service or professional contexts where you want to sound careful and polite.
Gostaria deste — I would like this one (very polite).
Example: Gostaria deste, se possível.
Gostaria deste uses the conditional form gostar and is useful in restaurants or when asking for assistance politely.
Using the subjunctive for softness
Preferiria este — I would prefer this one (less direct, softer).
Example: Preferiria este, mas aceito outra sugestão se for melhor.
Preferiria este softens the choice and invites alternatives, ideal in collaborative or consulting situations.
Expressions for immediate selection
When you point and make a quick decision, Brazilians often use short, energetic phrases. These are excellent for markets, bakeries, and quick-service places.
Quick decision phrases
Levo este — I’ll take this one (common when buying).
Example: Levo este, por favor. Pode embrulhar?
Levo este is very natural when handing an item to a vendor or cashier.
Esse aqui — This one here (casual, pointing).
Example: Esse aqui, por favor.
Esse aqui is used in spoken language with gestures and is very common in street markets.
Esse — That one (less precise than este but common).
Example: Acho que vou com esse.
Esse can be used interchangeably with este in many contexts; the nuance depends on speaker perspective and distance.
Choosing between options: phrases for comparisons
When deciding between two or more items, include comparative language to explain your choice. This helps sound more fluent and rational.
Explaining why you choose something
Vou escolher este porque — I’ll choose this one because…
Example: Vou escolher este porque é mais barato e a cor combina comigo.
Vou escolher este porque is useful to justify your selection during negotiations or when asking others for opinions.
Prefiro este — I prefer this one (expresses preference).
Example: Prefiro este pela qualidade.
Prefiro este directly states preference and is handy in discussions or comparing similar items.
Conditional choices and alternatives
Se não tiver, escolho este — If you don’t have it, I’ll choose this one.
Example: Se não tiver o tamanho M, escolho este no tamanho G.
Se não tiver, escolho este is practical when a preferred choice might be unavailable and you want to indicate a backup.
Entre este e aquele, fico com — Between this one and that one, I’ll go with…
Example: Entre este e aquele, fico com este por ser mais confortável.
Entre este e aquele, fico com helps when comparing two clear options and concluding with your choice.
Short dialogues with natural context
Practice understanding common contexts with short dialogues. These examples show how Brazilians choose things in stores, restaurants, and among friends.
Dialogue at a bakery
Vendedor: O que vai querer?
Cliente: Vou escolher este, por favor.
Vendedor: Vai querer mais alguma coisa?
Note how quick and polite the choice is in a real-world interaction.
Dialogue in a clothing store
Atendente: Qual modelo você prefere?
Cliente: Fico com este. Tem no tamanho M?
Atendente: Vou conferir para você.
This shows a common shopping exchange including a follow-up question about size.
Dialogue among friends deciding food
Amigo 1: O que você quer pedir?
Amigo 2: Eu vou escolher este. Parece mais leve.
Amigo 1: Boa ideia, eu peço outro então.
Informal and friendly, using the full form eu vou escolher este in conversational settings feels natural.
Pronunciation tips and stress patterns
Pronunciation is key to being understood. Here are simple tips for the most common phrases so you sound natural.
escolher — esh-co-LER (stress on the last syllable).
eu vou escolher este — eu voh esh-co-LER ES-teh.
fico com este — FEE-coh kohm ES-teh.
Practice linking words: Eu vou often becomes euvô or vou in fast speech. Fico com often sounds like FEE-coh coh.
Usage notes and regional variations
Brazil is large and expressions vary slightly across regions. Here are useful notes to avoid confusion.
In the South and Southeast, vou escolher and fico com are extremely common. In the Northeast, you might hear more colloquial contractions but the meaning stays the same.
When pointing, Brazilians often use este, esse, and aquele. Remember: este refers to something closer to the speaker, esse closer to the listener, and aquele farther away, but in casual speech people mix them.
For formal written Portuguese, use eu vou escolher este or eu vou optar por este. In spoken contexts, leaving out eu is more natural.
Common mistakes to avoid
Beginners make predictable errors when choosing words or grammar. Watch for these to improve fluency.
Avoid using escolher incorrectly without prepositions. For example, do not say vou escolher com este. The correct structure is vou escolher este or vou escolher este aqui.
Do not translate word-for-word from English: I will choose this one === eu vou escolher este is correct, but I will choose === vou escolher is often enough.
Be careful with gender agreement: if the item is feminine, use esta instead of este. Example: Vou escolher esta camiseta.
Gender and number agreement
Portuguese nouns have gender and number, and demonstratives must agree with the noun. Match your demonstrative to the noun to avoid mistakes.
If the noun is masculine singular, use este or esse.
Example: Vou escolher este livro.
If the noun is feminine singular, use esta or essa.
Example: Vou escolher esta bolsa.
For plurals, use estes/esses for masculine plural and estas/essas for feminine plural. Example: Vou escolher estes sapatos. Vou escolher estas camisas.
Useful related vocabulary
Learning key words around choosing helps you build more natural sentences.
escolher — to choose
optar por — to opt for
preferir — to prefer
levar — to take (when buying)
gostar de — to like
por favor — please
Mini phrase list for instant use
Keep these short phrases in mind for quick decisions while traveling or shopping in Brazil.
Vou escolher este
Fico com este
Levo este
Gostaria deste
Eu vou optar por este
Conclusion
Mastering how to say I will choose this one in Brazilian Portuguese gives you confidence in everyday situations from markets to restaurants. Start with simple phrases like vou escolher este and fico com este, pay attention to gender agreement, and use polite variations when appropriate. With these expressions and tips, choosing in Portuguese will become natural fast.
