Portuguese Phrase
Posso experimentar isso?
Meaning
Literally “Can I try this?” It is a polite request for permission to test, taste, or try on something that you see in a store, restaurant, or any other setting where you might want to sample an item.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to ask a salesperson, waiter, or friend if you may handle or sample an object – for example, trying on a shirt, tasting a dish, or testing a gadget before buying.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Possoexperimentarisso?
Posso (poder)
First‑person singular present of the modal verb poder, used to ask for permission politely.
experimentar (infinitive)
Infinitive verb meaning “to try, to test, to sample”. It follows the modal verb directly.
isso (demonstrative pronoun)
Points to a specific object that is near the listener or already mentioned.
Question intonation
In spoken Portuguese the rising intonation at the end signals a question; the written question mark is optional in informal speech.
🗨In Conversation
Posso experimentar isso?
Can I try this?
Claro, fique à vontade!
Sure, feel free!
✕Common Mistakes
Pode experimentar isso?
‘Pode’ is third‑person singular; you need the first‑person form ‘posso’ when you are the one asking.
Eu posso experimentar isso?
Adding the subject pronoun ‘eu’ is redundant in Portuguese and can sound overly formal in casual conversation.
Experimenta isso?
‘Experimenta’ is the imperative form; it would be a command, not a request for permission.
↔Alternatives
Posso provar isso?
Can I taste this?
Posso testar isso?
Can I test this?
Será que posso experimentar isso?
I wonder if I can try this?
Posso experimentar?
May I try it?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil it is common to ask permission before handling merchandise; saying just “Posso experimentar?” is perfectly natural and often preferred because the object is usually clear from context. In Portugal, you might hear “Posso experimentar isto?” – note the use of “isto” for something closer to the speaker. Also, “experimentar” can refer to both tasting food and trying on clothes, so the context will tell the listener which meaning you intend.