Portuguese Phrase
O caixa de autoatendimento fica ali.
Meaning
The sentence tells the listener where the self‑service checkout is located, indicating that it is over there. It uses ‘fica’ to describe a fixed location and the adverb ‘ali’ to point to something visible but not close to the speaker.
When to use
Use this phrase in stores, supermarkets, banks, airports, or any public place that has a self‑service kiosk when you need to direct someone to it. It works well when the speaker can see the kiosk but is not standing right next to it.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ocaixadeautoatendimentoficaali
Definite Article (O)
The masculine singular definite article 'o' is used before masculine nouns like 'caixa'.
Noun (caixa)
‘Caixa’ means ‘checkout’ or ‘cash register’; it is a masculine noun.
Preposition (de)
‘De’ links two nouns, indicating that the checkout belongs to the concept of self‑service.
Compound Noun (autoatendimento)
‘Autoatendimento’ is a compound noun meaning ‘self‑service’; it functions as an adjective describing the ‘caixa’.
Verb (fica)
‘Fica’ is the third‑person singular present of ‘ficar’, used to describe a permanent or semi‑permanent location.
Adverb of Place (ali)
‘Ali’ points to a place that is not close to the speaker but can be seen; it contrasts with ‘aqui’ (here) and ‘lá’ (over there, farther away).
🗨In Conversation
Com licença, onde está o caixa de autoatendimento?
Excuse me, where is the self‑service checkout?
O caixa de autoatendimento fica ali, ao lado da padaria.
The self‑service checkout is over there, next to the bakery.
✕Common Mistakes
O caixa de autoatendimento está ali.
‘Estar’ describes temporary states; use ‘ficar’ for fixed locations like a kiosk.
O caixa de autoatendimento fica aqui.
‘Aqui’ means ‘here’; the speaker is not next to the kiosk, so ‘ali’ is correct.
Caixa de autoatendimento fica ali.
Missing the article ‘O’ makes the sentence sound incomplete.
↔Alternatives
O caixa automático está ali.
The automatic checkout is over there.
O terminal de autoatendimento fica ali.
The self‑service terminal is over there.
Ali está o caixa de autoatendimento.
There, the self‑service checkout is.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, self‑service kiosks are common in supermarkets, fast‑food restaurants, and banks. When pointing to something, Brazilians often use ‘ali’ for something you can see but isn’t close, and they may add a polite preface like ‘por favor’ or ‘com licença’. Remember that ‘ficar’ is preferred over ‘estar’ for describing where something is placed permanently, while ‘estar’ would suggest a temporary state.