Portuguese Phrase
Encosta o cartão agora.
Meaning
This phrase is the standard way to instruct someone to use a contactless payment method. It literally means 'lean the card' against the reader, referring to the NFC technology used in modern banking. It is direct and commonly heard in retail environments.
When to use
Use this when you are at a store, restaurant, or public transport terminal and the payment terminal is ready. It is appropriate for both customers and cashiers in a casual or semi-formal setting.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Encostaocartãoagora
Encosta
The imperative form of the verb 'encostar', which means to place something against a surface.
O cartão
The noun 'cartão' means card, preceded by the definite article 'o' (the).
Agora
An adverb meaning 'now', used to indicate the immediate timing of the action.
🗨In Conversation
Deu cinquenta reais. Crédito ou débito?
That's fifty reais. Credit or debit?
Crédito, por favor. Encosta o cartão agora?
Credit, please. Do I tap the card now?
✕Common Mistakes
Toca o cartão agora.
While 'tocar' means to touch, 'encostar' is the specific verb used for bringing two surfaces together for NFC payments.
Bate o cartão agora.
'Bater' means to hit or strike; using it here sounds like you are physically attacking the payment terminal.
↔Alternatives
Pode aproximar o cartão.
You can bring the card closer.
Pode encostar.
You can tap it.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, contactless payments (pagamento por aproximação) are ubiquitous. You will often be asked 'É crédito ou débito?' (Is it credit or debit?) before being told to tap your card. Even small street vendors usually have machines that support this technology.