Portuguese Phrase
Coloca a louça na máquina, por favor.
Meaning
A polite request asking someone to place the dirty dishes into the dishwasher. The imperative form makes it a direct command, while "por favor" adds courtesy.
When to use
Use this phrase at home after a meal when you want a family member or roommate to load the dishwasher. It works in informal settings; in more formal contexts you might switch to the formal imperative.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Colocaalouçanamáquinaporfavor
Imperative (tu)
"Coloca" is the informal 2nd‑person singular imperative of the verb *colocar* (to put). Use it for casual commands.
Definite article
"a" is the feminine singular definite article, matching the noun *louça*.
Noun – louça
*Louça* means dishes, plates, or kitchenware in general.
Preposition + article (na)
"na" = "em" + "a" (in/on the). It links the object to its location.
Noun – máquina
*Máquina* here refers to the dishwasher; Brazilians often say "máquina de lavar louça" or simply "máquina".
Polite phrase
"por favor" softens the command, making it a courteous request.
🗨In Conversation
Coloca a louça na máquina, por favor.
Put the dishes in the dishwasher, please.
Claro, já faço isso.
Sure, I’ll do it right away.
✕Common Mistakes
Coloque a louça na máquina, por favor.
Using the formal imperative "coloque" with a close friend sounds overly stiff; stick with "coloca" in informal contexts.
Coloca as louças na máquina, por favor.
The noun is singular here because it refers to the set of dishes as a whole; "as louças" would imply multiple types of kitchenware.
Coloca a louça na máquina de lavar, por favor.
The phrase "máquina de lavar" means washing machine; for dishes you need "máquina de lavar louça" or simply "máquina".
↔Alternatives
Põe a louça na máquina, por favor.
Put the dishes in the dishwasher, please.
Coloque a louça na máquina, por favor.
Please place the dishes in the dishwasher.
Pode colocar a louça na máquina, por favor?
Could you put the dishes in the dishwasher, please?
Deixa a louça na máquina, por favor.
Leave the dishes in the dishwasher, please.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, "por favor" is almost always added to commands to keep the tone friendly. While "máquina" is understood as a dishwasher, many people say "lava‑louças" or "máquina de lavar louça" for clarity. If you’re speaking to someone you don’t know well, use the formal imperative "coloque" instead of "coloca".