Portuguese Phrase
Coloca uma pessoa inconsciente de lado.
Meaning
The sentence is a direct instruction to move an unconscious person onto their side, a basic first‑aid maneuver that helps keep the airway open and prevents choking.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are giving emergency instructions, either as a by‑stander, a first‑aid trainer, or a medical professional guiding someone else during a crisis.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Colocaumapessoainconscientedelado
Imperative (2nd person singular)
‘Coloca’ is the affirmative imperative form of the verb ‘colocar’ for ‘tu’, used to give a direct command.
Indefinite article ‘uma’
‘uma’ is the feminine singular indefinite article, matching the gender of ‘pessoa’.
Adjective agreement
‘inconsciente’ agrees in gender and number with ‘pessoa’, so it stays in the feminine singular form.
Prepositional phrase ‘de lado’
‘de lado’ means ‘on the side’ or ‘to the side’; together it indicates the position the person should be placed.
🗨In Conversation
Alguém está desmaiado! O que faço?
Someone has fainted! What should I do?
Coloca uma pessoa inconsciente de lado e verifica a respiração.
Place the unconscious person on their side and check their breathing.
✕Common Mistakes
Coloca uma pessoa inconsciente de lado.
If you are speaking formally to a stranger, use the polite form ‘coloque’ (3rd person singular formal).
Coloca um pessoa inconsciente de lado.
Do not use the masculine ‘inconsciente’ with ‘pessoa’ unless the context explicitly refers to a male; the adjective must match gender.
Coloca uma pessoa inconsciente de lado ao.
Avoid saying ‘de lado’ after a verb that already implies direction; instead say ‘de lado’ or ‘para o lado’, not ‘de lado ao’.
↔Alternatives
Deita a pessoa inconsciente de lado.
Lay the unconscious person on their side.
Coloque a vítima inconsciente em posição lateral de segurança.
Put the unconscious victim in the recovery position.
Gire a pessoa inconsciente para o lado.
Turn the unconscious person onto their side.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, the phrase ‘posição lateral de segurança’ is the official term taught in first‑aid courses. When speaking to laypeople, the simpler ‘coloca de lado’ works well, but in formal settings (e.g., hospitals) use the full term to sound professional.