Portuguese Phrase
Posso levar um amigo?
Meaning
The speaker is politely asking whether they are allowed to bring a friend along. It can be used in informal or semi‑formal situations where permission is needed.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to ask a host, teacher, or event organizer if a friend may accompany you – for example before a dinner, a class, a concert, or a trip.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Possolevarumamigo?
Posso (poder)
First‑person singular present of the modal verb *poder*, used to ask for permission.
levar (infinitive)
The infinitive verb follows *poder*; it means ‘to take/bring’ and does not change for person or number.
um (indefinite article)
Masculine singular indefinite article, agrees with the masculine noun *amigo*.
amigo (noun)
Masculine singular noun meaning ‘friend’; the article *um* must match its gender and number.
Question mark
In Portuguese, the opening question mark (¿) is not used; only the closing ‘?’ is required.
🗨In Conversation
Posso levar um amigo?
Can I bring a friend?
Claro, ele é bem‑vindo!
Sure, he’s welcome!
✕Common Mistakes
Posso levar um amigos?
The noun must agree in number; *amigos* is plural, so the article should be *uns*.
Posso levar uma amigo?
The article *uma* is feminine, but *amigo* is masculine; use *um*.
Posso levar um amiga?
If the friend is female, change the noun to *amiga* and keep the masculine article *um* → *uma amiga*.
Posso levar um amigo por favor?
While understandable, the polite particle *por favor* should be placed after the question mark or before the verb: *Posso levar um amigo, por favor?*
↔Alternatives
Posso trazer um amigo?
Can I bring a friend?
Posso levar um colega?
Can I bring a colleague?
Será que posso levar um amigo?
I wonder if I can bring a friend.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil it’s common to ask permission with *posso* rather than *pode* (which would be ‘can you’). When you’re unsure about the formality level, add *por favor* after the question: *Posso levar um amigo, por favor?* Also note that *trazer* (to bring) is used when the focus is on the speaker’s movement toward the listener, while *levar* emphasizes moving away from the speaker’s current location.