Portuguese Phrase
Onde ficam os assentos prioritários?
Meaning
The sentence asks for the location of the seats that are reserved for priority passengers – typically the elderly, pregnant women, people with disabilities, or those traveling with small children. It is a polite, neutral way to request directions inside a bus, train, airplane, theater, or any public venue.
When to use
Use this question when you are in a public space and need to find the designated priority seats, for example on a bus, in a cinema, at an airport gate, or in a train carriage. It works both in formal settings (asking staff) and informal ones (asking fellow passengers).
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ondeficamosassentosprioritários?
Onde
Interrogative adverb meaning 'where', used to ask about location.
ficam
Third‑person plural of the verb *ficar* ('to be located, to stay'), commonly used for the position of objects.
os
Definite article, masculine plural, agrees with the noun *assentos*.
assentos
Noun, masculine plural, means 'seats'.
prioritários
Adjective, masculine plural, agrees with *assentos*; means 'priority' (reserved for certain groups).
🗨In Conversation
Onde ficam os assentos prioritários?
Where are the priority seats?
Eles estão logo ao lado da entrada principal.
They are right next to the main entrance.
✕Common Mistakes
Onde estão os assentos prioritários?
While *estão* is grammatically correct, native speakers usually prefer *ficam* when referring to the fixed location of objects.
Onde fica o assento prioritário?
The adjective must agree in number with the noun; use the plural *assentos prioritários* when you refer to more than one seat.
Onde fica os assentos prioritários?
Using singular *fica* with a plural noun sounds odd; match the verb to the plural subject.
↔Alternatives
Onde estão os assentos prioritários?
Where are the priority seats?
Onde posso encontrar os assentos prioritários?
Where can I find the priority seats?
Qual é a localização dos assentos prioritários?
What is the location of the priority seats?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, priority seats are protected by law (Lei nº 10.048/2000). They are clearly marked with a blue sign and a wheelchair symbol. Using them without a legitimate reason is considered rude and can even result in a fine. When you need them, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask a staff member or a fellow passenger using this phrase.