SpeeekDownload on the App Store
Back to Lost In The City

Portuguese Phrase

Procura o ponto de referência no mapa.

/pɾuˈkaɾu u ˈpõtu dʒi ʁefeˈɾẽsiɐ nu ˈmapɐ/
Meaning"Find the landmark on the map."
💡

Meaning

The sentence is a direct instruction telling someone to look for a landmark on a map. It uses the informal imperative, so it’s suitable when speaking to a friend, a peer, or a child.

🎯

When to use

Use this phrase when giving directions while navigating a city, a hiking trail, or a tourist site, especially in informal contexts such as a conversation with a travel companion or a student.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Procuraopontodereferêncianomapa

1

Imperative (2nd person singular)

‘Procura’ is the affirmative imperative form of the verb ‘procurar’ used with ‘tu’ (informal you).

2

Definite article

‘o’ is the masculine singular definite article that agrees with ‘ponto’.

3

Preposition + article contraction

‘no’ = ‘em’ + ‘o’, meaning ‘in the/on the’.

4

Noun phrase ‘ponto de referência’

A compound noun where ‘de’ links ‘ponto’ (point) with ‘referência’ (reference/landmark).

🗨In Conversation

A

Preciso encontrar a biblioteca, mas não lembro o caminho.

I need to find the library, but I don’t remember the way.

Procura o ponto de referência no mapa, como a estátua da praça central.

Look for the landmark on the map, like the statue in the central square.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Procure o ponto de referência no mapa.

    ‘Procure’ is the formal imperative; use only if you need a polite tone.

  • Procura o ponto de referência no o mapa.

    ‘no’ already contracts ‘em + o’; adding another article is redundant.

  • Procura o ponto de referencia no mapa.

    Missing accent on ‘referência’; the correct spelling is ‘referência’.

↔Alternatives

  • Encontra o ponto de referência no mapa.

    Find the landmark on the map.

  • Localiza o ponto de referência no mapa.

    Locate the landmark on the map.

  • Procure o ponto de referência no mapa.

    Look for the landmark on the map.

pt

Cultural Tip

In Brazil, ‘ponto de referência’ is commonly used when giving directions, especially in large cities where streets can be confusing. It’s more natural to mention a well‑known building, statue, or park as the reference point. When speaking formally (to a stranger or an elder), replace ‘procura’ with ‘procure’ (the formal imperative).