Portuguese Phrase
A mesa não tá limpa.
Meaning
The speaker is pointing out that the table is not clean. It can be a simple observation or a polite way to ask someone to clean it.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal situations—at home, in a cafeteria, or when chatting with friends. It’s perfect for everyday conversation when you notice a dirty surface and want to draw attention to it.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Amesanãotálimpa
Definite article (A)
The feminine singular article 'a' agrees with the noun 'mesa' (table).
Noun (mesa)
A feminine singular noun meaning 'table'.
Negation (não)
Placed before the verb to make the sentence negative.
Colloquial verb (tá)
Shortened, informal form of the verb 'estar' (to be) used in spoken Brazilian Portuguese.
Adjective agreement (limpa)
The adjective 'limpo/limpa' must match the gender and number of the noun; here it is feminine singular.
🗨In Conversation
A mesa não tá limpa.
The table isn’t clean.
Desculpa, eu limpo agora.
Sorry, I’ll clean it right now.
✕Common Mistakes
A mesa não é limpa.
Use 'estar' for temporary states; 'ser' describes permanent characteristics.
A mesa não tá limpo.
The adjective must agree with the feminine noun 'mesa'.
A mesa não tá limpoa.
Avoid adding extra letters; the correct form is 'limpa'.
↔Alternatives
A mesa não está limpa.
The table is not clean.
A mesa está suja.
The table is dirty.
A mesa ainda não está limpa.
The table isn’t clean yet.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, 'tá' is the everyday spoken contraction of 'está'. It’s perfectly natural among friends, family, or coworkers, but in formal writing or when speaking to strangers you should use the full form 'está'. Also, Brazilians often prefer the adjective 'sujo' (dirty) to describe something that needs cleaning, so both 'não está limpa' and 'está suja' are common.