Portuguese Phrase
O balcão de informações fica perto da entrada.
Meaning
The sentence tells a listener that the information desk is located close to the entrance of a building or venue. It is a straightforward way to give directions in public places such as airports, museums, or hotels.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to point out the location of a service point (information desk, reception, ticket counter) to a visitor, tourist, or colleague. It works well in both formal and informal contexts, especially in travel‑related settings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Obalcãodeinformaçõesficapertodaentrada
Definite article agreement
‘O’ matches the masculine singular noun ‘balcão’; articles must agree in gender and number.
Preposition + article contraction
‘da’ is the contraction of ‘de + a’, used before feminine singular nouns like ‘entrada’.
Verb ‘ficar’ for location
‘ficar’ (present 3rd‑person singular) indicates a permanent or semi‑permanent location, similar to ‘to be located’.
Adverb ‘perto’ + preposition
‘perto’ means ‘near’; it is followed by the preposition ‘de’, which contracts with the article to form ‘da’.
Plural noun ‘informações’
‘informações’ is a feminine plural noun; the preposition ‘de’ links it to ‘balcão’.
🗨In Conversation
Com licença, onde fica o balcão de informações?
Excuse me, where is the information desk?
O balcão de informações fica perto da entrada.
The information desk is near the entrance.
✕Common Mistakes
O balcão de informações fica perto de a entrada.
The preposition ‘de’ must contract with the feminine article ‘a’ to form ‘da’.
O balcão de informações está perto da entrada.
While ‘está’ is not wrong, learners often mix ‘ficar’ and ‘estar’ without noticing the nuance; ‘ficar’ stresses a fixed location.
O balcão de informação fica perto da entrada.
‘Informação’ is singular; the correct term for a service desk is ‘balcão de informações’ (plural).
↔Alternatives
O balcão de informações está próximo da entrada.
The information desk is close to the entrance.
O balcão de informações fica ao lado da entrada.
The information desk is next to the entrance.
O balcão de informações está perto da entrada.
The information desk is near the entrance.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, ‘balcão de informações’ is the standard term you’ll see in airports, museums, and large shopping centers. While ‘perto da entrada’ is perfectly natural in everyday speech, ‘próximo da entrada’ sounds slightly more formal and is often used in written signs. Remember that the contraction ‘da’ (de + a) is mandatory; saying ‘de a entrada’ is considered a mistake.