Portuguese Phrase
Deixa as mãos à vista e relaxadas.
Meaning
A direct instruction telling someone to keep their hands visible and relaxed. It is often used in contexts where body language matters, such as presentations, interviews, or video recordings.
When to use
Use this phrase right before a public‑speaking moment, a video call, a job interview, or any situation where you want to project confidence and openness through your posture.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Deixaasmãosàvistaerelaxadas
Imperative (Deixa)
‘Deixa’ is the informal 2nd‑person singular imperative of ‘deixar’, meaning ‘leave’ or ‘let’.
Contraction (à)
‘à’ is the contraction of the preposition ‘a’ + the feminine singular article ‘a’, used before feminine nouns like ‘vista’.
Adjective agreement (relaxadas)
‘Relaxadas’ agrees in gender (feminine) and number (plural) with ‘mãos’.
🗨In Conversation
Estou muito nervoso antes da gravação.
I’m really nervous before the recording.
Deixa as mãos à vista e relaxadas.
Keep your hands visible and relaxed.
✕Common Mistakes
Deixa as mãos a vista e relaxadas.
‘a vista’ is not a contraction; the correct form is ‘à vista’ (a + a).
Deixa a mão à vista e relaxada.
‘Mão’ is singular; the phrase refers to both hands, so it must be plural ‘as mãos’.
Deixe as mãos à vista e relaxadas.
‘Deixe’ is the formal imperative; using it with friends sounds overly stiff. Choose ‘Deixa’ for informal contexts.
↔Alternatives
Mantenha as mãos à mostra e relaxadas.
Keep your hands on display and relaxed.
Deixe as mãos visíveis e relaxadas.
Let your hands be visible and relaxed.
Mantenha as mãos abertas e relaxadas.
Keep your hands open and relaxed.
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian Portuguese, open body language signals confidence and honesty. Using the informal imperative ‘deixa’ works with friends or teammates; in a formal setting you would say ‘Deixe as mãos à vista e relaxadas.’ Also note that ‘à vista’ (preposition + article) is the natural way to say ‘in view’; avoid the literal ‘a vista’ which is a common mistake for learners.