Portuguese Phrase
Fica à tua direita, ao lado do banco.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to stay on their right side, next to the bench. It’s a directional instruction often used when guiding someone through a space.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to give a clear, informal direction inside a park, school hallway, or any indoor/outdoor area where a bench is a reference point.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ficaàtuadireita,aoladodobanco.
Ficar (imperative)
‘Fica’ is the informal singular imperative of ‘ficar’, meaning ‘stay’ or ‘be located’.
Preposition à (a + a)
‘à’ is a contraction of the preposition ‘a’ + the feminine singular definite article ‘a’, used before feminine nouns.
Possessive ‘tua’
‘tua’ is the second‑person singular feminine possessive adjective, agreeing with the feminine noun ‘direita’.
Preposition ao (a + o)
‘ao’ contracts ‘a’ + the masculine singular article ‘o’, used before masculine nouns like ‘lado’.
Contraction do (de + o)
‘do’ is ‘de’ + ‘o’, meaning ‘of the’ or ‘by the’, here linking ‘lado’ with ‘banco’.
🗨In Conversation
Desculpa, onde fica a entrada?
Excuse me, where is the entrance?
Fica à tua direita, ao lado do banco.
Stay on your right, next to the bench.
✕Common Mistakes
Fica a tua direita, ao lado do banco.
Missing the accent on ‘à’; the preposition must contract with the article.
Fica à teu direita, ao lado do banco.
Possessive must agree in gender and number with ‘direita’; use ‘tua’.
Fica à tua direita ao lado do banco.
A comma helps separate the two location cues; without it the sentence feels rushed.
↔Alternatives
Vá à tua direita, ao lado do banco.
Go to your right, next to the bench.
Fica à sua direita, ao lado do banco.
Stay on your right, next to the bench. (formal)
Mantenha‑se à direita, ao lado do banco.
Keep to the right, next to the bench.
Cultural Tip
In Portugal, ‘direita’ (right) is often used as a reference point when giving directions, but locals may also say ‘à tua esquerda’ (to your left) depending on the orientation. The informal imperative ‘fica’ is common among friends or when speaking to children; for adults you might prefer the formal ‘fique’. Also, benches (‘banco’) are common landmarks in public squares and parks, making them handy reference points.