Library vs. Livraria: Find or Borrow a Book in Portuguese
A library is a biblioteca in Portuguese. Use livraria when you mean a bookstore where you can buy books.
Real Life Portuguese · 4 min read · Updated October 15, 2026
The short answer
A biblioteca is a place to read or borrow books. A public library may let you register, borrow a title, and return it by a due date. Use emprestar when the library lends you a book and devolver when you take it back.
Use biblioteca for a library
Onde fica a biblioteca mais próxima?
Where is the nearest library?
Posso pegar este livro emprestado?
Can I borrow this book?
Use livraria for a bookstore
A livraria is a shop that sells books. If you want to purchase a title, ask whether they have it in stock and how much it costs. This distinction prevents the English word library from leading you to the wrong kind of place.
Tem uma livraria aqui perto?
Is there a bookstore nearby?
Vocês têm esse livro em inglês?
Do you have this book in English?
Choose the verb that matches what you want to do
Ask where to borrow a title with pegar emprestado; ask where to buy it with comprar. You can still read in either place, so think about whether your goal is to take a book home temporarily or own a copy.
Quero comprar um dicionário de português.
I want to buy a Portuguese dictionary.
Preciso devolver estes livros à biblioteca.
I need to return these books to the library.
Put it into practice
Biblioteca is library; livraria is bookstore. The verb—borrow, return, or buy—helps make your meaning clear.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Can I borrow this book”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
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