Portuguese Phrase
Compara sempre os preços.
Meaning
The sentence is a piece of advice meaning ‘Always compare prices.’ It encourages the listener to habitually check different sellers or platforms before making a purchase, helping them to get the best deal.
When to use
Use this phrase when you’re giving shopping or budgeting advice, whether in a casual conversation with a friend, a family member, or even in a professional setting like a sales training session.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Comparasempreospreços
Imperative (2nd person singular)
‘Compara’ is the affirmative imperative form of the verb ‘comparar’, used to give a direct command or advice to ‘you’ (tu).
Adverb of frequency
‘Sempre’ means ‘always’ and modifies the verb, indicating that the action should be done habitually.
Definite article (plural)
‘Os’ is the masculine plural definite article, agreeing with the noun ‘preços’.
Noun (plural)
‘Preços’ is the plural of ‘preço’, meaning ‘price(s)’. It requires the plural article ‘os’.
🗨In Conversation
Compara sempre os preços.
Always compare prices.
Claro, assim economizo muito!
Sure, that way I save a lot!
✕Common Mistakes
Comparar sempre os preços.
‘Comparar’ is the infinitive; the imperative needed for a command is ‘Compara’.
Compara sempre os preço.
The noun must agree in number with the article; use the plural ‘preços’.
Sempre compara os preços.
While grammatically correct, placing ‘sempre’ after the verb can sound less natural in Portuguese; the preferred order is ‘Compara sempre…’.
↔Alternatives
Sempre verifica os preços.
Always check the prices.
Não te esqueças de comparar os preços.
Don’t forget to compare the prices.
Faz sempre a comparação de preços.
Always do a price comparison.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil and Portugal, price comparison is a common habit, especially with the rise of online marketplaces and apps like Buscapé, Zoom, or KuantoKusta. Using ‘sempre’ adds a strong sense of routine, signalling that the speaker values prudence and financial savvy. In informal settings, you might hear the phrase shortened to ‘Compara os preços!’ or softened with ‘por favor’. Remember that in Brazil the informal ‘tu’ is less common in many regions, so you may also hear the polite imperative ‘Compare sempre os preços.’ when speaking to strangers or in a formal context.