Portuguese Phrase
Sela bem todas as costuras com fita.
Meaning
The sentence is a direct instruction to seal every seam carefully using tape, often to make something waterproof or more durable. It emphasizes both completeness (‘todas as costuras’) and quality (‘bem’).
When to use
Use this phrase when giving step‑by‑step DIY, sewing, upholstery, or construction instructions, especially when you want to stress that every seam must be properly sealed.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Selabemtodasascosturascomfita
Imperative (2nd person singular)
‘Sela’ is the affirmative imperative of the verb ‘selar’ (to seal) directed at ‘você’ or ‘tu’.
Adverb placement
‘bem’ (well) follows the verb in Portuguese, modifying how the action is performed.
Quantifier agreement
‘todas as’ must agree in gender and number with the noun ‘costuras’ (feminine plural).
Noun plural
‘costuras’ is the plural of ‘costura’, meaning ‘seams’.
Preposition ‘com’
Introduces the instrument used to perform the action – here, ‘fita’ (tape).
Noun ‘fita’
In Brazil, ‘fita’ usually refers to ‘fita adesiva’ (adhesive tape) unless specified otherwise.
🗨In Conversation
A caixa vai ficar à prova d'água?
Will the box be waterproof?
Sela bem todas as costuras com fita.
Seal all the seams well with tape.
✕Common Mistakes
Selar bem todas as costuras com fita.
The verb should be in the imperative form ‘Sela’ for a direct command.
Sela bem tudo as costuras com fita.
Quantifier must agree with the noun: use ‘todas as’ for feminine plural.
Bem sela todas as costuras com fita.
Adverb follows the verb, not precedes it.
↔Alternatives
Feche bem todas as costuras com fita.
Close all the seams well with tape.
Tape todas as costuras corretamente.
Tape all the seams correctly.
Aperte bem todas as costuras usando fita adesiva.
Tighten all the seams using adhesive tape.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, ‘fita adesiva’ is the most common type of tape for sealing. When speaking informally you might hear ‘bota fita nas costuras’, but the imperative form ‘Sela’ is typical in written manuals or when a supervisor gives clear instructions. Remember that the verb ‘selar’ is also used for sealing containers, doors, and even relationships in a figurative sense.