Portuguese Phrase
Não pare para estranhos.
Meaning
A direct warning meaning ‘Don’t stop for strangers.’ It is often used to advise caution, especially in traffic or when walking alone, urging the listener to keep moving and not engage with unknown people.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to give a quick safety tip, for example to a teenager learning to drive, a tourist navigating a city, or a friend heading out at night. It works well in informal conversation and as a short, memorable piece of advice.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Nãopareparaestranhos
Negation with Não
Place 'não' directly before the verb to make the command negative.
Imperative Mood
‘Pare’ is the affirmative imperative of ‘parar’; with ‘não’ it becomes a negative command.
Preposition para
‘Para’ introduces the beneficiary or target of the action – here, ‘for strangers’.
Plural noun estranhos
‘Estranhos’ is the plural form of ‘estranho’ (stranger). The adjective must agree in number with the noun.
🗨In Conversation
Não pare para estranhos.
Don't stop for strangers.
Mas e se eu precisar de ajuda?
But what if I need help?
✕Common Mistakes
Não pare a estranhos.
The preposition ‘a’ is incorrect here; use ‘para’ to indicate ‘for’.
Não pare com estranhos.
‘Com’ means ‘with’; it changes the meaning to ‘don’t stop with strangers.’
Não pare para estranho.
The noun must agree in number with the context; use the plural ‘estranhos’.
↔Alternatives
Não pare por desconhecidos.
Don't stop for unknown people.
Não pare para quem não conhece.
Don't stop for people you don't know.
Não pare para quem não conhece.
Don't stop for someone you don't know.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, this kind of warning is common on road safety campaigns and in parental advice. The phrase carries a tone of practical caution rather than fear, and it’s usually said in a friendly, informal register. In some regions people might add ‘na rua’ (on the street) for extra clarity: ‘Não pare para estranhos na rua.’