Portuguese Phrase
Você pode passar o aspirador na sala?
Meaning
This phrase is a polite request asking someone to clean the floor using a vacuum cleaner. It uses the auxiliary verb 'pode' (can) followed by the idiomatic expression 'passar o aspirador', which literally translates to 'pass the vacuum'.
When to use
Use this phrase at home when coordinating household chores with family members or roommates. It is a standard, polite way to ask for help with cleaning in an informal setting.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Vocêpodepassar o aspiradornasala
Poder
The verb 'pode' is the conjugated form of 'poder' (to be able to/can) for the pronoun 'você'.
Passar o aspirador
This is a fixed expression; although 'aspirar' is a verb on its own, 'passar o aspirador' is more common in colloquial speech.
Na
A contraction of 'em' (in) + 'a' (the), used because 'sala' is a feminine noun.
🗨In Conversation
A casa está um pouco suja para a festa.
The house is a bit dirty for the party.
Com certeza. Você pode passar o aspirador na sala?
For sure. Can you vacuum the living room?
✕Common Mistakes
Você pode fazer o aspirador na sala?
In Portuguese, we use the verb 'passar' (to pass) or 'aspirar' (to vacuum) rather than 'fazer' (to do/make) for this chore.
Você pode passar o aspirador em a sala?
The preposition 'em' and the article 'a' must always contract to 'na' when referring to a specific feminine noun like 'sala'.
↔Alternatives
Dá para você aspirar a sala?
Is it possible for you to vacuum the living room?
Você limpa a sala com o aspirador?
Will you clean the living room with the vacuum?
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian households, 'passar o aspirador' is a common weekly chore. While many modern apartments have hardwood or tile floors, the term remains the standard way to describe cleaning dust, even if 'passar um pano' (mopping/wiping) often follows.