Portuguese Phrase
Aproxime seu cartão ao descer.
Meaning
This is a short instruction that tells the listener to bring their card close to the reader when they are going down, such as at a subway turnstile, an elevator, or a descending escalator. The verb is in the imperative, so it functions as a polite command.
When to use
You will see this phrase on signs in metro stations, bus terminals, office buildings, and any place where a contact‑less card must be tapped before descending. It is also used by staff when guiding passengers.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Aproximeseucartãoaodescer
Imperative (2nd person singular)
Aproxime is the affirmative imperative form of the verb aproximar, used to give a direct command to 'you' (informal).
Possessive adjective
Seu means 'your' and agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies (cartão, masculine singular).
Contraction ao = a + o
Ao is a contraction of the preposition a (to) and the definite article o (the), meaning 'when' or 'as you'.
Infinitive as adverbial clause
Descer (to go down) is used in an infinitive clause after ao to indicate the timing of the action.
🗨In Conversation
Aproxime seu cartão ao descer.
Tap your card as you go down.
Claro, já fiz.
Sure, I already did.
✕Common Mistakes
Aproxime seu cartão ao descer.
Learners sometimes write ‘aproxime’ without the second ‘i’, but the correct spelling is ‘aproxime’ (with an ‘i’ after the ‘x’).
Aproxime seu cartão ao subir.
Using ‘descer’ when you actually mean ‘subir’ (to go up) changes the meaning completely.
Aproxime seu cartão ao descer.
If you are speaking formally to a stranger, use ‘seu’ still works, but in very formal contexts ‘o seu’ is preferred.
↔Alternatives
Passe o cartão ao descer.
Pass the card as you go down.
Segure o cartão próximo ao leitor ao descer.
Hold the card near the reader as you go down.
Aproxime o cartão ao descer.
Bring the card close as you go down.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, most urban transit systems use contactless fare cards (e.g., Bilhete Único in São Paulo, RioCard in Rio). The phrase is usually printed in bold on the metal gate or on a digital screen, and the tone is informal but courteous. Remember that in some regions the verb ‘aproximar’ can be confused with ‘aproximar‑se’ (to get close to a person), so the context of a card reader makes the meaning clear.