Portuguese Phrase
Indicam como chegar às plataformas.
Meaning
The sentence states that someone (they) provides directions on the way to reach the platforms. It is often heard in transport hubs where staff or signs guide passengers.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to talk about people, signs, or announcements that give directions to train, subway, or bus platforms. It works both in formal announcements and in casual conversation about how to find the right platform.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Indicamcomochegaràsplataformas
Indicam (verbo indicar)
Third‑person plural present indicative of indicar, used for ‘they/you (formal) indicate’.
como (advérbio)
Adverb meaning ‘how’; introduces a manner or method.
chegar (infinitivo)
Infinitive form of the verb ‘to arrive, to get to’.
às (contração)
Contraction of the preposition a + the feminine plural article as, meaning ‘to the’.
plataformas (substantivo)
Feminine plural noun meaning ‘platforms’, commonly used for train or subway platforms.
🗨In Conversation
Desculpe, pode me dizer como chegar às plataformas?
Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to the platforms?
Claro, siga em frente e vire à esquerda; as placas indicam como chegar às plataformas.
Sure, go straight and turn left; the signs indicate how to get to the platforms.
✕Common Mistakes
Indicam como chegar a plataformas.
Missing the contraction; ‘a’ alone means ‘to the (singular)’ and does not agree with the plural ‘plataformas’.
Indicam como chegar a plataforma.
When the destination is plural, you need the preposition ‘às’ (a + as).
Indicam como chegar nas plataformas.
‘Nas’ (em + as) is used for location, not for the direction of movement; the correct preposition is ‘às’.
↔Alternatives
Mostram o caminho para as plataformas.
They show the way to the platforms.
Explicam como chegar às plataformas.
They explain how to get to the platforms.
Apontam a direção das plataformas.
They point out the direction of the platforms.
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian train and metro stations, it is common to find both digital screens and staff members who ‘indicam’ (indicate) the route to the platforms. The phrase uses the formal verb indicar, which sounds more official than ‘mostrar’ (to show). Remember that ‘às’ is mandatory before a feminine plural noun; omitting the accent changes the meaning.