Portuguese Phrase
Onde eu coloco esses livros?
Meaning
This is a direct and practical question used to ask for the correct location to place specific objects. The verb 'colocar' is the standard way to express 'to put' or 'to place' in Portuguese. The use of 'esses' refers specifically to books that are likely near the person you are talking to or already part of the conversation.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are helping someone clean, organizing a room, or moving items and need guidance on where they belong. It is suitable for everyday situations at home, in a library, or at an office.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ondeeucolocoesseslivros
Onde vs. Aonde
'Onde' is used for static positions, while 'aonde' is used with verbs of motion like 'going'.
Present Tense 'Coloco'
This is the first-person singular present indicative of 'colocar', used here to express an immediate intended action.
Demonstrative 'Esses'
In modern spoken Portuguese, 'esses' is the standard plural masculine demonstrative for items being handled or discussed.
🗨In Conversation
Onde eu coloco esses livros?
Where do I put these books?
Pode colocá-los na prateleira de cima, por favor.
You can put them on the top shelf, please.
✕Common Mistakes
Onde eu coloco este livros?
The demonstrative pronoun must agree in number with the plural noun 'livros', so use 'estes' or 'esses'.
Onde eu bota esses livros?
While 'botar' is common, 'bota' is the third-person conjugation; for 'eu', you must use 'boto' or the more common 'coloco'.
↔Alternatives
Onde posso colocar estes livros?
Where can I put these books?
Onde ficam esses livros?
Where do these books go?
Onde eu ponho os livros?
Where do I put the books?
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian Portuguese, the distinction between 'esses' (near the listener) and 'estes' (near the speaker) is often blurred in casual conversation, with 'esses' being the more frequent choice for both. Additionally, while 'pôr' is the root verb for 'to put', 'colocar' is much more frequently used in spoken Brazilian Portuguese.