Portuguese Phrase
Só segue as placas.
Meaning
‘Just follow the signs.’ The speaker tells the listener that the easiest way to reach a destination is to rely on the road signs, without needing further explanation.
When to use
Use this phrase when giving directions while driving, walking, or navigating a new place. It’s common in informal conversation when the speaker wants to keep instructions short and clear.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Sósegueasplacas
Só (adverb)
Used to mean ‘only’ or ‘just’, placed before the verb to limit the action.
Segue (imperative/indicative)
Third‑person singular present of seguir, but in informal Portuguese it also works as the imperative for ‘you (tu)’; in Brazil the formal imperative would be ‘siga’.
as (definite article)
Feminine plural article that agrees with the noun ‘placas’.
placas (noun)
Plural of ‘placa’, meaning ‘sign’ or ‘road sign’; always feminine.
🗨In Conversation
Como eu chego ao centro da cidade?
How do I get to the city centre?
Só segue as placas.
Just follow the signs.
✕Common Mistakes
Só segue a placa.
‘Placa’ is singular; the phrase refers to multiple signs, so the article must be plural ‘as’ and the noun ‘placas’.
Só segue as placas.
If you’re speaking Brazilian Portuguese to a ‘você’, the correct imperative is ‘siga’. ‘Segue’ sounds informal or European.
Segue só as placas.
Placing ‘só’ after the verb changes the nuance; it should stay before the verb to mean ‘just’.
↔Alternatives
Apenas siga as placas.
Just follow the signs.
Basta seguir as placas.
All you need to do is follow the signs.
Só siga as placas.
Just follow the signs.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil the imperative form most learners hear is ‘siga’, while ‘segue’ is typical of Portugal or informal speech in Brazil. When you’re on the road, ‘placas’ usually refers to traffic signs, but the word can also mean any kind of sign (e.g., a store sign). Adjust the verb form to match the regional variety you’re learning.