Portuguese Phrase
Coloca‑os numa bolsa impermeável.
Meaning
The sentence is a direct command telling someone to put ‘them’ (a previously mentioned set of items) inside a waterproof bag. It uses the informal imperative, making it suitable for casual conversation or instructions.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are packing electronics, documents, or any objects that must stay dry—e.g., before a boat trip, a hike in the rain, or while storing items for travel.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Coloca-osnumabolsaimpermeável
Imperative affirmative with enclitic pronoun
In the affirmative imperative, object pronouns are attached to the verb with a hyphen (e.g., coloca‑os).
Second‑person singular informal
‘Coloca’ is the tú/tu form of the verb ‘colocar’ used in informal speech.
Contraction ‘numa’
‘numa’ = ‘em’ + ‘uma’, meaning ‘in a’.
Adjective agreement
‘impermeável’ agrees in gender and number with ‘bolsa’ (feminine singular).
🗨In Conversation
Coloca‑os numa bolsa impermeável.
Put them in a waterproof bag.
Já fiz, obrigado!
I already did, thanks!
✕Common Mistakes
Os coloca numa bolsa impermeável.
In the affirmative imperative the pronoun must be attached after the verb, not before.
Coloca‑os numa bolsa impermeavel.
Missing the accent on ‘impermeável’; the correct spelling includes the acute accent on the final ‘e’.
Coloca-os numa bolsa impermeável
The hyphen is required in the imperative form; without it the phrase looks like a typo.
↔Alternatives
Põe‑os numa bolsa à prova d'água.
Put them in a water‑proof bag.
Guarda‑os numa sacola impermeável.
Store them in a waterproof sack.
Coloque‑os numa bolsa impermeável.
Place them in a waterproof bag. (formal)
Cultural Tip
In both European and Brazilian Portuguese, ‘impermeável’ is the standard adjective for ‘water‑proof’, but in everyday speech many people say ‘à prova d'água’. Note that the clitic placement changes with mood: in the affirmative imperative it follows the verb (coloca‑os), while in the indicative it precedes (os coloca). Using the informal imperative signals familiarity; for a formal request you would say ‘Coloque‑os…’.