Portuguese Phrase
Onde pego o trem?
Meaning
Literally, ‘Where do I catch the train?’ It is a polite way to ask for the place where you should board a train. The question can be used in stations, bus terminals, or when a local mentions a train route. In Brazil, ‘pegar’ is the usual verb for catching public transport, while in Portugal you might hear ‘apanhar’.
When to use
Use this phrase when you arrive at a railway station and need to know the platform or entrance for your train. It’s also handy when asking a local for directions to the nearest train stop or when you’re planning a trip and need to confirm the boarding point.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ondepegootrem?
Onde (question word)
‘Onde’ asks for a location. It is used for both physical places and abstract locations.
pego (verb pegar)
‘Pego’ is the first‑person singular present of ‘pegar’, which in Brazil is the common verb for ‘to catch’ a train, bus, or subway.
o (definite article)
The article ‘o’ agrees in gender and number with ‘trem’ (masculine singular).
trem (noun)
‘Trem’ means ‘train’. In some Brazilian cities it can also refer to a metro or commuter rail.
🗨In Conversation
Desculpe, onde pego o trem para São Paulo?
Excuse me, where do I catch the train to São Paulo?
É na plataforma 3, logo ali ao lado da bilheteria.
It’s on platform 3, right there next to the ticket office.
✕Common Mistakes
Onde pego trem?
Omitting the article ‘o’ makes the sentence sound incomplete in Portuguese.
Onde apanho o trem?
In Portugal, ‘pego’ is not used for trains; use ‘apanho’ instead.
↔Alternatives
Em que estação eu pego o trem?
At which station do I catch the train?
Onde eu embarco no trem?
Where do I board the train?
Qual é a plataforma do trem?
Which platform is the train on?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, ‘pegar o trem’ is the everyday way to say ‘catch the train’. In Portugal, people usually say ‘apanhar o comboio’. Also, ‘trem’ can refer to a metro line in cities like Rio de Janeiro, so be aware of the local context. When speaking to older generations, you might hear the more formal ‘embarcar no trem’. Always keep a polite tone – a simple ‘Desculpe’ or ‘Com licença’ goes a long way.