Portuguese Phrase
Mantém a área limpa.
Meaning
A short, direct instruction meaning ‘Keep the area clean.’ It is commonly used on signs, in workplaces, or when reminding someone to tidy up a shared space.
When to use
Use this phrase on cleaning‑policy signs, in informal spoken directions, or when you want to politely but firmly ask someone to maintain cleanliness in a specific spot.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Mantémaárealimpa
Manter (3ª pessoa singular)
Mantém is the present indicative of manter for he/she/it (or formal you). It expresses a command or instruction in an informal tone.
Definite article a
The article a agrees in gender (feminine) with the noun área.
Noun área
Área is a feminine noun meaning ‘area, space, place’. It takes the article a and the adjective that follows must agree in gender.
Adjective limpa
Limpa is the feminine singular form of limpo, matching the gender of área.
🗨In Conversation
Mantém a área limpa, por favor.
Please keep the area clean.
Claro, vou limpar agora.
Sure, I’ll clean it right away.
✕Common Mistakes
Mantém a área limpo.
The adjective must agree with the feminine noun área, so use limpa.
Mantém a área limpa, senhor.
When addressing a group or using a formal tone, the imperative ‘mantenha’ is preferred.
Mantém área limpa.
Do not omit the article; Portuguese requires the article before singular nouns in this construction.
↔Alternatives
Por favor, mantenha a área limpa.
Please keep the area clean.
Deixe a área limpa.
Leave the area clean.
Mantenha o local limpo.
Keep the place clean.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil and Portugal, informal commands often use the third‑person singular form (mantém) when the speaker is giving a brief instruction, especially on signs. For more formal signage you’ll see the imperative ‘mantenha’. Also, remember that the adjective must match the gender of the noun – ‘limpa’ for área, not ‘limpo’.