Portuguese Phrase
Esconde‑os da vista.
Meaning
A direct, informal command meaning “Hide them from view.” It can refer to physical objects, secrets, or even emotions that you don’t want others to notice.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to tell a friend, a child, or a colleague to conceal something quickly. It’s common in storytelling, instructions, or casual conversation, but avoid it in very formal written contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Esconde-osdavista
Imperative affirmative with attached pronoun
In Portuguese, affirmative commands attach object pronouns directly to the verb (e.g., esconde‑os). The hyphen marks the attachment.
Contraction da = de + a
The preposition de + the feminine singular article a contracts to da, meaning “from the”.
Clitic placement
Pronouns follow the verb in affirmative imperatives, but precede it in negative commands (e.g., não os escondas).
🗨In Conversation
Esconde‑os da vista.
Hide them from view.
Já está feito.
It’s already done.
✕Common Mistakes
Esconde‑os de vista.
Missing the article ‘a’; the correct contraction is ‘da’ (de + a).
Esconda‑os da vista.
‘Esconda‑os’ is the formal imperative; using it in a casual setting can sound overly stiff.
Esconde‑os da vista‑.
Do not add a hyphen after the noun; the hyphen only links the pronoun to the verb.
↔Alternatives
Oculta‑os da vista.
Hide them from view.
Mantenha‑os fora de vista.
Keep them out of sight.
Esconda‑os da vista.
Hide them from view.
Cultural Tip
Portuguese speakers attach pronouns to affirmative commands, a rule that differs from English and even from some Romance languages. In Brazil you’ll hear the informal “esconde‑os”, while in Portugal the formal “esconda‑os” is more common in polite contexts. Remember that the verb “esconder” can also be replaced by “ocultar” for a slightly more formal tone.