Portuguese Phrase
Cuida da limpeza do local.
Meaning
A direct, informal command telling someone to look after the cleanliness of a place. It implies responsibility for keeping the area tidy and free of dirt.
When to use
Use this phrase when giving quick instructions to a colleague, a cleaning staff member, or a friend who is in charge of a space – for example in offices, schools, event venues, or at home.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Cuidadalimpezadolocal
Imperative (informal)
‘Cuida’ is the third‑person singular present indicative of ‘cuidar’, used as an informal command (tu) meaning ‘take care of’.
Contractions ‘da’ / ‘do’
‘da’ = de + a (feminine), ‘do’ = de + o (masculine). They link the verb to the noun they govern.
Noun gender
‘limpeza’ is feminine, so it takes ‘da’; ‘local’ is masculine, so it takes ‘do’.
Object complement
The phrase ‘da limpeza do local’ works as a prepositional complement describing what must be taken care of.
🗨In Conversation
Precisamos que a sala esteja impecável para a reunião.
We need the room to be spotless for the meeting.
Claro, cuida da limpeza do local.
Sure, take care of the cleanliness of the place.
✕Common Mistakes
Cuida a limpeza do local.
The verb ‘cuidar’ requires the preposition ‘de’, so you must say ‘cuidar da limpeza’.
Cuida da limpeza da local.
‘Local’ is masculine; the correct contraction is ‘do’, not ‘da’.
Cuide da limpeza do local.
‘Cuide’ is the formal imperative (você/vocês). It’s not wrong, but it changes the register; learners often mix the two registers unintentionally.
↔Alternatives
Zela pela limpeza do local.
Look after the cleanliness of the place.
Mantenha o local limpo.
Keep the place clean.
Fique responsável pela limpeza do ambiente.
Be responsible for the cleanliness of the environment.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, ‘cuida’ is informal and is used with friends or coworkers you know well. In a more formal setting (e.g., a written notice or speaking to a superior) you would use the formal imperative ‘Cuide da limpeza do local.’ Also, Brazilians often replace ‘local’ with ‘ambiente’ or ‘espaço’ depending on the context.