Portuguese Phrase
Vai para a direita, por favor.
Meaning
A polite instruction telling someone to go or turn to the right. It combines a direct command with the courtesy phrase 'por favor'.
When to use
Use this phrase when giving directions on the street, in a building, or any situation where you need someone to move rightward. It works well in informal contexts such as with friends, shop staff, or fellow travelers.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Vaiparaadireita,porfavor.
Imperative of 'ir'
'Vai' is the informal second‑person singular imperative of the verb 'ir' (to go). For formal situations use 'Vá'.
Preposition 'para'
'Para' introduces direction or destination, similar to 'to' or 'towards' in English.
Definite article with direction
In Portuguese the direction noun takes the definite article: 'a direita' (the right).
Polite phrase 'por favor'
'Por favor' is placed after the command to soften it and show courtesy.
🗨In Conversation
Com licença, como chego à estação de metrô?
Excuse me, how do I get to the subway station?
Vai para a direita, por favor.
Go to the right, please.
✕Common Mistakes
Vai para direita, por favor.
Missing the definite article 'a' before 'direita'. The correct form is 'a direita'.
Vá para a direita, por favor.
Using the formal imperative 'Vá' with a casual tone can sound overly stiff; match the level of formality to the situation.
Vai a direita, por favor.
The preposition should be 'para' when giving a direction, not just 'a'.
↔Alternatives
Vire à direita, por favor.
Turn right, please.
Siga para a direita, por favor.
Proceed to the right, please.
Direita, por favor.
Right, please.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, adding 'por favor' after a command is considered very polite. The informal imperative 'vai' is common among peers, but in formal or professional settings you should use the formal imperative 'vá' (e.g., 'Vá para a direita, por favor'). Also, remember the article before the direction – saying 'para direita' without 'a' sounds ungrammatical to native speakers.