Portuguese · Travel & Getting Around
"Where is…?" in Portuguese: Onde fica…?
Onde fica…?
Note: also: Onde é…?
To ask "Where is…?" in Portuguese, say Onde fica…? for places that don't move: Onde fica a estação? In casual Brazilian speech Onde é…? works too, as in Onde é o banheiro? For things and people that can move, use Onde está…?
On the street
Com licença, onde fica a estação de metrô?Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce Onde fica…?
Say it
OHN-jee FEE-kah
/ˈõdʒi ˈfikɐ/
Onde starts with a nasal o, and in much of Brazil the de sounds like "jee": OHN-jee. Don't press the n like an English n; let the vowel hum through your nose. Fica is FEE-kah, stressed on the first syllable.
"Where is…?" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Onde fica…? | Where is…? For fixed places: streets, buildings, shops, cities. | For fixed places: streets, buildings, shops, cities. |
| Onde é…? | Where is…? Casual, often for rooms or places nearby: Onde é o banheiro? | Casual, often for rooms or places nearby: Onde é o banheiro? |
| Onde está…? | Where is…? For things or people that move: Onde está meu celular? | For things or people that move: Onde está meu celular? |
| Cadê…? | Where's…? Very casual Brazilian speech: Cadê a chave? | Very casual Brazilian speech: Cadê a chave? |
| Onde fica a casa de banho? | Where is the bathroom? PT-PT. In Brazil, ask for o banheiro. | PT-PT. In Brazil, ask for o banheiro. |
How to use Onde fica…? in real life
- 1On the street
Com licença, onde fica a estação de metrô?
Excuse me, where is the subway station?
Com licença is the polite way to get a stranger's attention. In Portugal it is metro, without the accent.
- 2In a restaurant
Por favor, onde é o banheiro?
Excuse me, where's the bathroom?
Por favor at the start works like "excuse me" when you speak to staff.
- 3Packing in your hotel room
Onde está meu passaporte? Estava aqui em cima da mesa.
Where's my passport? It was right here on the table.
A passport can move, so use está, not fica.
Mistakes English speakers make with Onde fica…?
Incorrect: Donde está a estação?
Correct: Onde fica a estação?
Donde is Spanish for this question. Portuguese uses onde, and fica sounds more natural for a building.
Incorrect: Onde é a minha mala?
Correct: Onde está a minha mala?
A suitcase is an object that moves around, so use está. Save é and fica for places.
Good to know
Directions in Brazil often use landmarks more than street names: depois da padaria (after the bakery), em frente ao posto (opposite the gas station). In many cities a block is called a quadra, so you may hear duas quadras daqui (two blocks from here). Be ready for aqui pertinho, "right near here", which can mean anything from one minute to fifteen.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Asking for directions to the train station in São Paulo
ChatPal
Oi! Precisa de ajuda?
Hi! Do you need help?
You
Preciso, sim. Onde fica a Estação da Luz?
Yes, I do. Where is Luz Station?
ChatPal
Fica a duas quadras daqui. Siga reto por esta rua e vire à esquerda no final.
It's two blocks from here. Go straight down this street and turn left at the end.
You
Perfeito. E onde fica a bilheteria?
Perfect. And where's the ticket office?
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Where is…?" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Where is…?" in Portuguese
What is the difference between Onde fica and Onde está?
Onde fica…? is for places that stay put, like a museum or a street. Onde está…? is for things and people that move, like your keys or your friend. With places, Brazilians also say Onde é…? in casual speech.
What does Cadê mean?
Cadê…? is a very casual Brazilian way to ask "where's…?", as in Cadê o controle? (Where's the remote?). It is great with friends, but use Onde está…? with strangers.
How do you pronounce onde in Brazil?
Say OHN-jee, with a nasal o and a de that sounds like "jee". In Portugal and in some parts of Brazil the end sounds closer to "deh" or "dee", with no j sound.
How do I ask where the bathroom is in Brazil and Portugal?
In Brazil, say Onde é o banheiro? In Portugal, say Onde é a casa de banho? Adding por favor at the end makes either question sound polite.
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- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
