Portuguese Phrase
Este lugar tá livre hoje à noite?
Meaning
The speaker is asking whether the place they are referring to is available or not booked for tonight. It’s a casual way to check availability before making plans.
When to use
Use this sentence in informal settings—among friends, coworkers, or when you’re texting a venue. It’s perfect for arranging a dinner, a party, or a study session for the upcoming night.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Estelugartálivrehojeànoite?
Este (demonstrative)
‘Este’ is a masculine singular demonstrative adjective meaning ‘this’, and it must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies.
tá (colloquial estar)
‘tá’ is the informal spoken contraction of the verb ‘estar’ (to be). It is common in everyday conversation but should be avoided in formal writing.
livre (adjective)
‘livre’ means ‘free/available’. When used with ‘estar’, it describes a temporary state (e.g., a place being free at a certain time).
à noite (prepositional phrase)
‘à’ is the contraction of the preposition ‘a’ + the feminine definite article ‘a’, forming ‘to the night’, i.e., ‘at night’. It is required before ‘noite’.
hoje vs. esta noite
‘hoje’ means ‘today’, while ‘esta noite’ or ‘hoje à noite’ specifies the night of the same day. Both are correct, but ‘esta noite’ is slightly more precise.
🗨In Conversation
Este lugar tá livre hoje à noite?
Is this place free tonight?
Sim, ainda não tem reserva. Quer marcar às 20h?
Yes, it’s still open. Do you want to book it for 8 p.m.?
✕Common Mistakes
Este lugar é livre hoje à noite?
Use ‘está livre’ for temporary availability; ‘é livre’ describes a permanent characteristic.
Este lugar tá livre hoje noite?
The preposition ‘à’ is required before ‘noite’. Without it the phrase sounds ungrammatical.
Este lugar tá livre hoje à noite?
In formal contexts replace ‘tá’ with ‘está’. The meaning stays the same but the register changes.
↔Alternatives
Este lugar está livre esta noite?
Is this place free tonight?
Tem disponibilidade neste local hoje à noite?
Is there availability at this location tonight?
Podemos usar este espaço hoje à noite?
Can we use this space tonight?
Cultural Tip
The contraction ‘tá’ is typical of Brazilian Portuguese spoken informally. In Portugal you’ll hear ‘está’ more often, and in any formal context (e.g., business emails) you should use the full form ‘está’. Also, remember that ‘livre’ refers to temporary availability; for permanent characteristics you would use ‘livre’ with ‘ser’ (e.g., ‘Este lugar é livre de ruído’).