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Portuguese Phrase

Decora os números de emergência.

/deˈkoɾa uʃ ˈnu.meɾus dʒi e.meɾˈʒɐ̃.sɐ/
Meaning"Memorize the emergency numbers."
💡

Meaning

A direct command telling someone to commit the emergency phone numbers to memory. It is informal and used when speaking to a peer or a child.

🎯

When to use

Use this phrase when you want to remind a friend, family member, or student to learn the local emergency contact numbers, especially before traveling or in a safety briefing.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Decoraosnúmerosdeemergência

1

Imperative (tu)

‘Decora’ is the informal singular (tu) imperative form of the verb ‘decorar’, meaning ‘to memorize’.

2

Definite article (os)

‘os’ is the masculine plural definite article that agrees with ‘números’.

3

Compound noun (números de emergência)

‘números de emergência’ is a noun phrase where ‘de’ links the noun ‘números’ with the qualifier ‘emergência’.

4

Accent on ‘emergência’

The word ‘emergência’ carries a tilde on the ‘ã’, indicating a nasal vowel.

🗨In Conversation

A

Preciso de ajuda, mas não lembro os números de emergência.

I need help, but I don’t remember the emergency numbers.

Decora os números de emergência, assim você estará preparado.

Memorize the emergency numbers, that way you’ll be prepared.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Decore os números de emergência.

    ‘Decore’ is the formal (você) imperative; using it with a friend sounds overly formal.

  • Decora os número de emergência.

    The noun must agree in number with the article; use ‘os números’ (plural).

  • Decora os números de emergencia.

    Do not drop the accent; ‘emergencia’ changes the pronunciation and is considered a spelling error.

↔Alternatives

  • Memoriza os números de emergência.

    Memorize the emergency numbers.

  • Aprende os números de emergência.

    Learn the emergency numbers.

  • Fica a par dos números de emergência.

    Stay aware of the emergency numbers.

pt

Cultural Tip

In Brazil the most common emergency numbers are 190 (Police), 192 (SAMU – ambulance), 193 (Firefighters) and 199 (Civil Police). In Portugal the single European emergency number 112 works for police, fire and medical services. Knowing the correct numbers for the country you are in can save crucial seconds in an emergency.