Portuguese Phrase
O prédio fica do outro lado da praça.
Meaning
This phrase is used to indicate the permanent or semi-permanent location of a building or object. The verb 'ficar' is crucial here, as it specifically denotes 'to be located' or 'to be situated,' making it ideal for giving directions or describing fixed positions. It implies a stable placement rather than a temporary state.
When to use
You would use this phrase when giving directions to someone, describing where a particular building is situated, or explaining the layout of a place. It's perfect for situations like telling a taxi driver where to go, guiding a friend to a meeting point, or simply pointing out a landmark in a city.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Oprédioficadooutroladodapraça
O (The)
'O' is the masculine singular definite article in Portuguese, equivalent to 'the' in English. It agrees in gender and number with the noun it precedes, in this case, 'prédio'.
prédio (building)
This is a masculine noun meaning 'building'. It's a common word for any structure, from a small house to a large office block.
fica (is located)
'Fica' is the third-person singular conjugation of the verb 'ficar', meaning 'to stay', 'to remain', or, crucially, 'to be located'. It's the preferred verb for expressing the fixed location of places and objects.
do outro lado (on the other side)
This is a common prepositional phrase. 'Do' is a contraction of 'de' (of/from) and 'o' (the). The full phrase 'do outro lado de' means 'on the other side of'.
da praça (of the square)
'Da' is a contraction of 'de' (of/from) and 'a' (the), used before feminine singular nouns like 'praça' (square). So, 'da praça' means 'of the square'.
🗨In Conversation
Com licença, onde fica o museu?
Excuse me, where is the museum?
O prédio fica do outro lado da praça, perto daquela árvore grande.
The building is on the other side of the square, near that big tree.
✕Common Mistakes
O prédio é do outro lado da praça.
Using 'ser' (é) for location is incorrect in Portuguese. 'Ser' is for inherent qualities or identity, not physical location.
O prédio está do outro lado da praça.
While 'estar' (está) can indicate location, 'ficar' is generally preferred for fixed, permanent locations like buildings, as 'estar' can imply a more temporary state.
O prédio fica no outro lado da praça.
The correct prepositional phrase for 'on the other side' is 'do outro lado de' (or 'da' when followed by 'a praça'), not 'no outro lado'.
↔Alternatives
O prédio está do outro lado da praça.
The building is on the other side of the square.
A construção fica do outro lado da praça.
The construction/structure is on the other side of the square.
Fica do outro lado da praça.
It's on the other side of the square.
Cultural Tip
In many Portuguese-speaking countries, especially Brazil, giving directions often relies heavily on landmarks rather than street names and numbers alone. Phrases like 'do outro lado da praça' (on the other side of the square), 'em frente à igreja' (in front of the church), or 'depois do semáforo' (after the traffic light) are very common. Public squares ('praças') are central to many towns and cities, serving as important reference points and social hubs.