Portuguese Phrase
Não, compro o almoço na cafeteria.
Meaning
The speaker is refusing something (perhaps an invitation) and stating that they will buy their lunch at the cafeteria. The 'não' is a polite negation, followed by a statement of personal plan.
When to use
Use this sentence when you want to decline an offer (e.g., a coworker asking if you want to bring lunch) and explain that you will get your meal at the cafeteria instead.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Não,comprooalmoçonacafeteria.
Negation with Não
‘Não’ placed at the beginning of a sentence negates the whole statement that follows.
Verb Conjugation – comprar
‘Compro’ is the first‑person singular present indicative of ‘comprar’ (to buy).
Definite Article – o
‘O’ is the masculine singular definite article, matching ‘almoço’ (masculine noun).
Preposition + Article – na
‘Na’ = ‘em’ + ‘a’; it means ‘in the’ for feminine nouns like ‘cafeteria’.
Noun Gender – cafeteria
‘Cafeteria’ is a feminine noun, so it takes the article ‘a’ and the preposition ‘na’.
🗨In Conversation
Você quer almoçar comigo hoje?
Do you want to have lunch with me today?
Não, compro o almoço na cafeteria.
No, I’ll buy lunch at the cafeteria.
✕Common Mistakes
Não, compre o almoço na cafeteria.
‘Compre’ is the subjunctive/imperative form; the correct present indicative for ‘I buy’ is ‘compro’.
Não, compro o almoço em cafeteria.
If you want to say ‘at the cafeteria’ you must use ‘na’; omitting the article (e.g., ‘em cafeteria’) sounds unnatural.
Não, compro a almoço na cafeteria.
‘Almoço’ is masculine; using the feminine article ‘a’ would be incorrect.
↔Alternatives
Não, vou comprar o almoço na cafeteria.
No, I’m going to buy lunch at the cafeteria.
Não, prefiro comer na cafeteria.
No, I prefer to eat at the cafeteria.
Não, levo o almoço da cafeteria.
No, I’ll take lunch from the cafeteria.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, many workplaces have an on‑site cafeteria (refeitório) where employees can buy a quick, affordable meal. Saying you’ll ‘comprar o almoço na cafeteria’ is a common, informal way to explain your lunch plans. Remember that ‘na cafeteria’ uses the preposition ‘na’ (a + a) because ‘cafeteria’ is feminine.