Portuguese Phrase
Os bombeiros vão ajudar.
Meaning
The sentence means ‘The firefighters will help.’ It uses the periphrastic future to talk about an action that is expected to happen soon, often in response to an emergency.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to reassure someone that fire‑fighters are on their way and will provide assistance, for example after a fire alarm, a house fire, or any situation where emergency services are called.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Osbombeirosvãoajudar
Definite article (Os)
Os is the masculine plural definite article, used before plural nouns like bombeiros.
Noun (bombeiros)
Bombeiros means ‘firefighters’; it is a masculine plural noun.
Future periphrastic (vão + infinitive)
The construction vão + infinitive expresses a near future, similar to ‘will’ in English.
Infinitive (ajudar)
Ajudar is the infinitive form of the verb ‘to help’; after vão it stays in the infinitive.
🗨In Conversation
O prédio está pegando fogo! O que vamos fazer?
The building is on fire! What are we going to do?
Os bombeiros vão ajudar.
The firefighters will help.
✕Common Mistakes
Os bombeiro vão ajudar.
The noun must agree in number with the article; use the plural bombeiros.
Os bombeiros vai ajudar.
The verb must agree with the plural subject; use vão, not vai.
Os bombeiros vão ajuda.
After the auxiliary vão, the main verb stays in the infinitive (ajudar).
Os bombeiros serão ajudar.
Serão is the simple future of ser; the periphrastic future (vão + infinitive) is more natural in spoken Portuguese for near‑future actions.
↔Alternatives
Os bombeiros vão nos ajudar.
The firefighters will help us.
Os bombeiros ajudarão.
The firefighters will help.
Os bombeiros prestarão socorro.
The firefighters will provide assistance.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil and Portugal, fire‑fighters (bombeiros) are highly respected public servants. When you see them arrive, it’s customary to step aside and let them work. Saying ‘Os bombeiros vão ajudar’ can calm a crowd, because people know the fire‑service is well‑trained and equipped to handle emergencies.