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Portuguese Phrase

Esse armário está livre?

/ˈe.sɪ aɾˈma.ɾi.u esˈta ˈli.vɾi/
Meaning"Is this locker free?"
💡

Meaning

The sentence asks whether the particular locker or cabinet being pointed at is currently unoccupied and can be used. It can also be understood as ‘Is this locker available?’ in contexts such as gyms, schools, or offices.

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When to use

Use this question when you need to know if a specific storage space is free before you put your belongings there – for example, at a gym locker room, a school hallway, or a shared office.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Essearmárioestálivre?

1

Demonstrative Pronoun (Esse)

‘Esse’ points to something near the listener (or already mentioned) and agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies.

2

Noun (armário)

‘armário’ is a masculine singular noun meaning ‘locker, cabinet, wardrobe’.

3

Verb ‘estar’ (está)

‘Estar’ is used for temporary states or conditions; here it asks about the current availability of the locker.

4

Adjective (livre)

‘livre’ means ‘free, unoccupied, available’. When used with ‘estar’, it describes a temporary state.

5

Question Mark

In spoken Portuguese the intonation rises at the end; in writing the question mark follows the whole sentence.

🗨In Conversation

A

Esse armário está livre?

Is this locker free?

Sim, está. Pode usar.

Yes, it is. You can use it.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Esse armário é livre?

    ‘Ser’ describes permanent characteristics; availability is a temporary state, so use ‘estar’.

  • Este armário está livre?

    ‘Este’ refers to something close to the speaker; if the locker is nearer the listener, ‘esse’ is more natural.

  • Esse armário está livro?

    ‘livro’ means ‘book’; don’t confuse it with ‘livre’ (free).

↔Alternatives

  • Este armário está livre?

    Is this locker free?

  • Esse armário está disponível?

    Is this locker available?

  • Tem vaga neste armário?

    Is there a spot in this locker?

pt

Cultural Tip

In Brazil, ‘livre’ is the most common word to ask if a place is unoccupied. However, in some regions people also say ‘disponível’ for a more formal tone. Remember that ‘esse’ points to something the listener can see, while ‘este’ would be used if you are the one holding or pointing at the object.