Portuguese Phrase
Você pode me emprestar seu lápis?
Meaning
This phrase is a polite and common way to ask someone if they can lend you their pencil. It directly translates to "You can me lend your pencil?" but functions as a question, implying a request. It's a versatile structure for asking to borrow various items.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to borrow a pencil from someone, typically in an informal or semi-formal setting. It's suitable for classmates, colleagues, or friends. You can adapt it to ask for other items by simply replacing 'lápis' with the desired object.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Vocêpodemeemprestarseulápis?
Você
This is the most common way to say 'you' in Brazilian Portuguese, used for both formal and informal contexts. It always takes third-person verb conjugations.
Pode (poder)
'Pode' is the third-person singular conjugation of the verb 'poder' (to be able to, can). It's used here to form a polite question, similar to 'can you' in English.
Me
'Me' is a direct or indirect object pronoun meaning 'me'. In this construction, it comes before the infinitive verb 'emprestar' (to lend) or before the conjugated verb 'pode'.
Emprestar
This is the infinitive form of the verb 'to lend'. When 'poder' is used, the second verb in the phrase typically remains in the infinitive form.
Seu
'Seu' is a possessive adjective meaning 'your' (singular, masculine). It agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies, which is 'lápis' (pencil).
🗨In Conversation
Oi, você pode me emprestar seu lápis?
Hi, can you lend me your pencil?
Claro! Aqui está.
Of course! Here it is.
✕Common Mistakes
Você pode emprestar para mim seu lápis?
In Portuguese, direct and indirect object pronouns (like 'me') usually precede the conjugated verb or attach to the infinitive/gerund. 'Emprestar para mim' is grammatically incorrect in this construction.
Você pode emprestar seu lápis?
Omitting 'me' makes the sentence sound like you're asking if they *can* lend *their* pencil (to someone else), not specifically to you. The 'me' is crucial for clarity.
↔Alternatives
Pode me emprestar seu lápis?
Can you lend me your pencil?
Você me empresta seu lápis?
Will you lend me your pencil?
Você teria um lápis para me emprestar?
Would you have a pencil to lend me?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, direct requests are generally acceptable, especially among peers. However, adding 'por favor' (please) is always a good idea to enhance politeness, though often implied by the question structure itself. The use of 'Você' is standard for 'you' in most of Brazil, while 'Tu' is common in some southern states and Portugal. This phrase is universally understood and polite.