Portuguese Phrase
Este ônibus é acessível para cadeiras de rodas?
Meaning
The speaker is asking whether the bus they are looking at or about to board is equipped to accommodate wheelchairs. It is a polite, direct way to verify accessibility before traveling.
When to use
Use this question when you are at a bus stop, in a travel agency, or speaking with a driver or transit staff to confirm that the vehicle meets wheelchair‑access needs.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Esteônibuséacessívelparacadeirasderodas?
Demonstrative adjective (Este)
‘Este’ points to something close to the speaker and must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies (masculine singular here).
Verb ‘ser’ for permanent traits
Use ‘é’ (from ser) to describe a lasting characteristic of the bus, such as its accessibility.
Adjective agreement
‘acessível’ is invariable; it does not change with gender or number, so it stays the same after ‘é’.
Preposition ‘para’ + noun phrase
‘para’ introduces the purpose or suitability: ‘para cadeiras de rodas’ = ‘for wheelchairs’.
Compound noun ‘cadeiras de rodas’
Literally ‘chairs of wheels’; it functions as a single noun meaning ‘wheelchairs’.
Question intonation
In spoken Portuguese, the rising intonation at the end signals a yes‑no question; the written form adds a question mark.
🗨In Conversation
Este ônibus é acessível para cadeiras de rodas?
Is this bus wheelchair accessible?
Sim, tem rampa e espaço reservado para cadeiras de rodas.
Yes, it has a ramp and a reserved space for wheelchairs.
✕Common Mistakes
Este ônibus é acessível com cadeiras de rodas?
Learners sometimes replace ‘para’ with ‘com’, which changes the meaning to ‘with wheelchairs’ instead of ‘suitable for’.
Este ônibus está acessível para cadeiras de rodas?
Using ‘está’ suggests a temporary condition; accessibility is a permanent feature, so ‘é’ is correct.
Este onibus é acessível para cadeiras de rodas?
Missing the tilde on ‘ônibus’ changes pronunciation and looks ungrammatical.
↔Alternatives
Este ônibus tem acesso para cadeiras de rodas?
Does this bus have access for wheelchairs?
Este ônibus é adaptado para cadeiras de rodas?
Is this bus adapted for wheelchairs?
Este ônibus aceita cadeiras de rodas?
Does this bus accept wheelchairs?
Cultural Tip
Brazil has strong accessibility legislation (the ‘Lei de Acessibilidade’) that requires public transport to be wheelchair‑friendly. However, the level of compliance can vary by city, so it’s always a good idea to ask before boarding. Using a polite question like this shows respect and helps you get the information you need without assuming the bus is accessible.