Portuguese Phrase
Os pais podem passar pelas salas de aula.
Meaning
This phrase conveys that parents have permission or the physical possibility to walk through the classroom areas. It uses the modal verb 'podem' to indicate permission and the contraction 'pelas' to describe movement through a space.
When to use
This is typically used in a school setting, such as during an open house, a parent-teacher conference, or when a receptionist is giving directions to visitors.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Os paispodempassarpelassalas de aula
Poder (podem)
The verb 'poder' expresses permission or ability. 'Podem' is the third-person plural form in the present tense.
Pelas (Contraction)
This is a contraction of the preposition 'por' (through/by) and the feminine plural article 'as' (the).
Salas de aula
The literal translation is 'rooms of class'. In Portuguese, nouns often use 'de' to define the purpose of a room.
🗨In Conversation
Com licença, onde podemos ver as exposições de arte?
Excuse me, where can we see the art exhibits?
Os pais podem passar pelas salas de aula para ver os quadros.
Parents can pass through the classrooms to see the paintings.
✕Common Mistakes
Os parentes podem passar pelas salas de aula.
In Portuguese, 'parentes' means 'relatives' in general. Use 'pais' specifically for 'parents'.
Os pais podem passar para as salas de aula.
Use 'pelas' (por + as) to mean 'through' or 'by way of' when moving through a space, rather than 'para' which indicates a destination.
↔Alternatives
Os pais têm permissão para visitar as salas.
Parents have permission to visit the rooms.
É permitido aos pais circular pelas salas.
Parents are allowed to circulate through the rooms.
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian schools, 'Dia da Família' is a common event where parents are invited to explore the school grounds. While 'pais' is masculine plural, it is used as a gender-neutral term to refer to both mothers and fathers collectively.