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Portuguese Phrase

Esse ônibus vai pro aeroporto?

/ˈe.sɪ ˈɔ.ni.bus vaj pɾu a.e.ɾoˈpoɾ.tu/
Meaning"Does this bus go to the airport?"
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Meaning

A traveler asks whether the bus they see is the one that goes to the airport. It’s a straightforward yes‑no question used in everyday situations when navigating public transport.

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When to use

Use this phrase at bus stops, in transit hubs, or when you’re unsure which vehicle will take you to the airport. It works both in casual conversation with locals and with transport staff.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Esseônibusvaiproaeroporto?

1

Esse (demonstrative)

Used to point out something close to the speaker; masculine singular form of 'this'.

2

ônibus (noun)

Masculine noun meaning 'bus'.

3

vai (verb ir)

Third‑person singular present of 'ir' (to go); used here as a simple present question.

4

pro (contraction)

Colloquial contraction of 'para o' meaning 'to the'. Common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese.

5

aeroporto (noun)

Masculine noun meaning 'airport'.

🗨In Conversation

A

Esse ônibus vai pro aeroporto?

Does this bus go to the airport?

Sim, ele vai direto. O próximo sai em cinco minutos.

Yes, it goes straight there. The next one leaves in five minutes.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Esse ônibus vai para o aeroporto?

    While grammatically correct, using the full form 'para o' sounds overly formal in a casual setting; native speakers prefer 'pro'.

  • Esse onibus vai pro aeroporto?

    Learners sometimes forget the accent on 'ônibus'; the correct spelling includes the tilde.

  • Esse ônibus irá pro aeroporto?

    Using 'vai' for a future intention is fine, but some learners mistakenly use 'irá' which sounds too formal for everyday speech.

↔Alternatives

  • Esse ônibus vai ao aeroporto?

    Does this bus go to the airport?

  • Esse ônibus leva ao aeroporto?

    Does this bus take (you) to the airport?

  • Esse ônibus vai para o aeroporto?

    Does this bus go to the airport?

pt

Cultural Tip

The contraction 'pro' is very common in informal spoken Brazilian Portuguese, but in formal writing you should use 'para o'. Also, note the difference between 'esse' (this, near the listener) and 'este' (this, near the speaker); both can be heard at bus stops, but 'esse' is the more natural choice when pointing at a bus that’s already in view.