Portuguese Phrase
Aperta o botão pra sinalizar.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to press the button in order to signal something, such as calling for help, confirming a choice, or activating a device. It’s a casual, everyday command.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to instruct a friend, colleague, or a child to press a button that triggers a signal—like a buzzer, an alarm, or a notification button on a screen. It’s informal, so keep it for familiar contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Apertaobotãoprasinalizar
Imperative (2nd person singular)
Aperta is the informal imperative form of apertar, used to give a direct command to 'you' (tu).
Definite article
o is the masculine singular definite article, agreeing with botão.
Contraction 'pra'
Pra is colloquial contraction of para, meaning 'to' or 'in order to'.
Infinitive purpose clause
sinalizar is an infinitive verb that expresses the purpose of pressing the button.
🗨In Conversation
Aperta o botão pra sinalizar que a reunião acabou.
Press the button to signal that the meeting is over.
Já fiz, já fez o sinal.
I already did it, the signal is sent.
✕Common Mistakes
Aperta o botão para sinalizar.
Using 'para' is not wrong, but in casual speech Brazilians prefer 'pra'.
Aperte o botão pra sinalizar.
Aperte is formal; using it with 'pra' mixes registers.
Aperta o botões pra sinalizar.
Botões is plural; the article 'o' is singular, causing disagreement.
↔Alternatives
Pressione o botão para sinalizar.
Press the button to signal.
Clique no botão para sinalizar.
Click the button to signal.
Aperte o botão para avisar.
Press the button to let (someone) know.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, informal commands often drop the final -r of the infinitive (apertar → aperta) and use pra instead of para. This makes the sentence sound friendly and conversational. In more formal settings, you’d use 'Pressione' and the full 'para'.