Portuguese Phrase
Olha primeiro se tem perigo.
Meaning
The sentence is a safety reminder that tells the listener to check for any danger before proceeding. It stresses the importance of looking first, then deciding whether it’s safe to continue.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to warn someone to be cautious – before crossing a street, entering a room, starting a task, or any situation where a quick safety check is needed.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Olhaprimeirosetemperigo
Olha (imperative)
Second‑person singular informal imperative of the verb *olhar* (to look). Use with friends or peers.
primeiro (adverb)
Means “first”. It can be placed before the verb or after it to stress the order of actions.
se (conditional conjunction)
Introduces a conditional clause, equivalent to “if” in English.
tem (present of ter)
Third‑person singular present of *ter* used here to express existence, similar to “there is/are”.
perigo (noun)
Means “danger”. Commonly paired with *ter* or *haver* to talk about the presence of risk.
🗨In Conversation
Olha primeiro se tem perigo.
First, look to see if there is danger.
Claro, vou verificar antes de entrar.
Sure, I’ll check before going in.
✕Common Mistakes
Olhe primeiro se tem perigo.
Using the formal imperative *Olhe* in a casual conversation sounds stiff; stick with *Olha* unless you need a formal tone.
Olha primeiro se há perigo.
While *há* is grammatically correct, mixing *há* with the informal *Olha* can feel inconsistent. Choose either fully informal (*tem*) or fully formal (*há*).
Olha primeira se tem perigo.
The adverb *primeiro* does not agree in gender; *primeira* is an adjective and would be wrong here.
↔Alternatives
Verifica antes se há perigo.
Check first if there is danger.
Antes de tudo, vê se tem perigo.
Before anything, see if there is danger.
Olhe primeiro se há perigo.
First, look whether there is danger. (formal)
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian Portuguese *Olha* is informal; in a formal or professional setting you would use *Olhe*. The verb *ter* for existence (*tem perigo*) is common in everyday speech, while the more formal *há perigo* is used in written or official contexts. Safety warnings are frequent in workplaces, schools, and public transport, so this phrase will sound natural in many everyday situations.