Ask to Borrow Something in Portuguese and Return It
Make the request clear by naming the item and saying when you will return it.
Real Life Portuguese · 5 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Use você pode me emprestar…? to ask someone to lend you something. Emprestar means to lend or loan; pegar emprestado means to borrow.
Ask politely for the item
Name the item and add por favor if the situation calls for a more courteous request.
Você pode me emprestar uma caneta?
Could you lend me a pen?
Posso pegar seu guarda-chuva emprestado?
Can I borrow your umbrella?
Você tem um carregador que eu possa usar?
Do you have a charger I could use?
Agree on when you will return it
Say when you expect to return the item, especially if it is something the other person may need soon. Use devolver for returning an object.
If your plans change, let the person know rather than assuming the arrangement is open-ended.
Devolvo amanhã de manhã.
I’ll return it tomorrow morning.
Posso ficar com ele até sexta?
Can I keep it until Friday?
Precisa dele de volta hoje?
Do you need it back today?
Return the item and say thank you
When you return something, say obrigado or obrigada and mention that you brought it back. If something happened to the item, explain clearly.
For taking or bringing objects between places, compare our article on levar versus trazer.
Aqui está seu livro. Obrigada por emprestar.
Here’s your book. Thanks for lending it.
Deixei o guarda-chuva na sua mesa.
I left the umbrella on your desk.
Desculpa, a caneta parou de funcionar.
Sorry, the pen stopped working.
Put it into practice
Practice a request that names the item, a return date, and a brief thank-you when you give it back.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Do you need it back today”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
Build on this guide with everyday expressions and native Brazilian audio. Choose iPhone, Android, or the web app.