Portuguese Phrase
Leva uma lanterna e pilhas.
Meaning
A direct, informal command telling someone to take a flashlight and batteries. It’s the kind of practical advice you’d hear when preparing for a trip, a camping night, or an emergency situation.
When to use
Use this phrase when you’re giving a quick, friendly reminder to a peer about what to pack for outdoor activities, power‑outage preparedness, or any situation that might get dark.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Levaumalanternaepilhas.
Imperative (tu)
"Leva" is the informal second‑person singular imperative of the verb *levar* (to take). Use it with friends or family.
Indefinite article
"uma" is the feminine singular indefinite article, matching the noun *lanterna*.
Conjunction "e"
"e" simply links two objects, equivalent to English "and".
Plural noun
"pilhas" is the plural of *pilha* (battery). No article is needed when listing items after "e".
🗨In Conversation
O que eu devo levar para a trilha?
What should I bring for the hike?
Leva uma lanterna e pilhas.
Take a flashlight and batteries.
✕Common Mistakes
Leve uma lanterna e pilhas.
Use "Leve" only in formal contexts (você). With friends you should say "Leva".
Leva uma lanterna e uma pilhas.
Do not repeat the article before the plural noun; Portuguese omits it after "e".
Leva uma lanterna e baterias.
If you mean rechargeable batteries, "baterias" is more appropriate, but "pilhas" is correct for disposable AA/AAA cells.
↔Alternatives
Traga uma lanterna e baterias.
Bring a flashlight and batteries.
Leve uma lanterna e pilhas.
Take a flashlight and batteries.
Não esqueça a lanterna e as pilhas.
Don’t forget the flashlight and the batteries.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, sudden power cuts – called *apagões* – are common, especially in the summer. It’s customary to keep a *lanterna* and extra *pilhas* (AA, AAA, etc.) in a home emergency kit. When speaking to strangers or in a formal setting, switch to the formal imperative "Leve" instead of the informal "Leva".