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Portuguese Phrase

Tem mesa pra dois?

/tẽ ˈme.za pɾa ˈdojs/
Meaning"Is there a table for two?"
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Meaning

Literally, “Is there a table for two?” It’s the go‑to phrase when you arrive at a restaurant, café, or bar and want to know if you can be seated as a pair.

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When to use

Use this phrase at the entrance of any eating establishment when you’re looking for a spot for two people. It works in casual and semi‑formal settings, but you might swap "pra" with "para" in a very formal restaurant.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Temmesapradois?

1

Ter (tem) as existence verb

In informal Brazilian Portuguese, "tem" (from "ter") is often used like "há" to ask if something exists or is available.

2

Pra = para (contraction)

"Pra" is the spoken contraction of "para" meaning "for"; it’s common in everyday conversation but avoid in formal writing.

3

Cardinal numbers

"Dois" is the cardinal number "two" and agrees with the noun it modifies (mesa).

4

Question intonation

Raising intonation at the end of the sentence signals a yes‑no question, so the question mark is optional in spoken Portuguese.

🗨In Conversation

A

Tem mesa pra dois?

Do you have a table for two?

Sim, tem. Por aqui, por favor.

Yes, we do. This way, please.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Tem mesa para dois?

    While grammatically correct, "para" sounds formal; most locals say "pra" in casual settings.

  • Tem um mesa pra dois?

    "Mesa" is feminine, so the article should be "uma" if you use one, but the article is usually omitted in this question.

  • Tem mesa pra duas?

    The number must agree with the noun; "dois" modifies "mesa" (feminine) but stays in masculine form.

↔Alternatives

  • Tem mesa para dois?

    Is there a table for two?

  • Há mesa para duas pessoas?

    Is there a table for two people?

  • Podemos sentar duas pessoas?

    Can two people sit?

  • Tem lugar para duas pessoas?

    Is there a place for two people?

pt

Cultural Tip

In Brazil, asking "Tem mesa pra dois?" is perfectly normal and expected. The use of "tem" instead of the more formal "há" signals a friendly, relaxed tone. If you’re in a high‑end restaurant, you might opt for "Há mesa para duas pessoas?" to sound a bit more polished. Also, remember that many places will automatically seat you without asking if you look like a couple, but it never hurts to confirm.