Fique à Vontade: What This Friendly Portuguese Expression Means
Understand a common expression of hospitality and learn how to respond when someone says fique à vontade.
Real Life Portuguese · 7 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Fique à vontade means something like “make yourself comfortable” or “feel free.” It is a friendly invitation to relax, choose, or act without unnecessary formality. A host may say it when you arrive at a home, office, or gathering.
Understand the idea behind fique à vontade
The phrase uses fique, a form of ficar, followed by à vontade. Learn it as a complete expression instead of translating each word separately. The tone is usually welcoming, but the action that follows depends on the setting.
Entre e fique à vontade.
Come in and make yourself comfortable.
Pode escolher uma cadeira. Fique à vontade.
You can choose a chair. Make yourself comfortable.
Fiquem à vontade para fazer perguntas.
Feel free to ask questions. (plural audience)
Notice how the phrase changes with the listener
For one person, you may hear fique à vontade or fica à vontade in casual speech. For multiple people, use fiquem à vontade. The choice of verb form follows the way the speaker addresses the listener, so both formality and regional habits can affect what you hear.
Fique à vontade para… introduces an action someone is welcome to do: ask for help, look around, or choose an item. The phrase does not mean that the speaker has no preference in every situation; it simply signals permission or comfort within that context.
Fique à vontade para olhar o cardápio.
Feel free to look at the menu.
Fiquem à vontade para sentar aqui.
Feel free to sit here. (plural audience)
Pode usar a cozinha. Fique à vontade.
You can use the kitchen. Make yourself comfortable.
Respond naturally when someone welcomes you
A simple obrigado/obrigada is a natural reply. If you are unsure whether you may take food, use a space, or touch an item, ask specifically instead of assuming. The invitation is friendly, but it applies to the action and setting the host has in mind.
The phrase can also soften an invitation in a class or meeting: Fiquem à vontade para interromper if you have a question. Tone and body language help show whether the invitation is casual, formal, or limited to a certain action.
Obrigado. A casa é muito bonita.
Thank you. The house is very beautiful. (speaker: man)
Obrigada! Vou deixar minha mochila aqui?
Thanks! Can I leave my backpack here? (speaker: woman)
Fiquem à vontade para pedir ajuda.
Feel free to ask for help. (plural audience)
Practice the expression in a welcoming exchange
Imagine welcoming a friend, a classmate, or a guest to your home. Say hello, invite them to get comfortable, and offer one specific option. Then practice a reply that thanks the host and asks a question if you need permission.
For more everyday Brazilian expressions, continue with Real Life Portuguese guides to café invitations, diminutives, and natural reactions. I Speak Portuguese teachers can help you hear how the invitation sounds in a longer conversation. Use the phrase warmly and make sure your words match what the guest is actually free to do.
Pode deixar o casaco no quarto. Fique à vontade.
You can leave your coat in the bedroom. Make yourself comfortable.
Muito obrigada. Posso pegar um copo de água?
Thank you very much. Can I get a glass of water? (speaker: woman)
Fiquem à vontade para conversar depois da aula.
Feel free to chat after class. (plural audience)
Put it into practice
Fique à vontade is a friendly invitation to feel comfortable or do something freely. Use the verb form that matches one listener or a group, and ask if you need specific permission.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Feel free to ask for help. (plural audience)”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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