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Portuguese Phrase

Fica à vontade para usá-los.

/ˈfi.ka a ˈvõ.dɐ̃.tʃi ˈpa.ɾɐ uˈzaɾ luʃ/
Meaning"Feel free to use them."
💡

Meaning

A polite invitation meaning ‘Feel free to use them.’ It conveys that the listener has permission and is encouraged to make use of the items in question.

🎯

When to use

Use this phrase when you want to give someone permission to use objects, documents, tools, or any tangible items, especially in informal settings or when speaking with someone you address with ‘tu’. It works both in Brazil (though ‘Fique à vontade’ is more common) and Portugal.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Ficaà vontadeparausá-los

1

Fica (imperative)

‘Fica’ is the informal singular imperative of ‘ficar’, used here to mean ‘feel’ or ‘stay’ in the sense of ‘stay at ease’.

2

à vontade

A fixed expression meaning ‘at ease, comfortable’; literally ‘to the will’, it signals permission or invitation.

3

usá-los (clitic pronoun)

The infinitive ‘usar’ attaches the object pronoun ‘‑los’ (them, masculine plural) with a hyphen; this is the standard clitic placement after infinitives.

4

para + infinitive

‘Para’ introduces purpose: ‘to use them’, linking the invitation to the action.

🗨In Conversation

A

Fica à vontade para usá-los.

Feel free to use them.

Obrigado! Vou começar agora.

Thanks! I’ll start using them now.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Fica a vontade para usá-los.

    Missing the grave accent on ‘à’; the preposition + article must be written as ‘à’.

  • Fica à vontade para usar eles.

    Object pronouns are attached to the infinitive with a hyphen; ‘usar eles’ is ungrammatical.

  • Fica à vontade para usá - los.

    The hyphen is required; a space breaks the clitic attachment.

↔Alternatives

  • Sinta-se à vontade para usá-los.

    Feel free to use them.

  • Pode usar eles.

    You can use them.

  • Use‑os à vontade.

    Use them as you wish.

pt

Cultural Tip

‘Fica à vontade’ is informal and typical in Portugal or among friends in Brazil. In most of Brazil people prefer the formal ‘Fique à vontade’ when speaking to strangers or in professional contexts. Remember that the clitic pronoun must be attached to the infinitive (usá‑los); using ‘usar eles’ is considered ungrammatical in standard Portuguese.