Portuguese Commands: Fale, Fala, and Everyday Brazilian Usage
Brazilian commands vary with the form of address: standard você commands include fale and espere; everyday tu forms vary by region.
Real Life Portuguese · 6 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
When you address someone as você, positive commands commonly use the same verb form as the present subjunctive: falar becomes fale, esperar becomes espere, and abrir becomes abra. Add por favor to soften a request: fale mais devagar, por favor (please speak more slowly).
Build common você commands with subjunctive forms
Brazil is linguistically diverse. In some regions, speakers use tu with a verb ending such as tu falas; elsewhere, tu fala is common in conversation. The command forms people choose also vary. Learn the pattern that matches the pronoun in the variety you are studying, and listen for local usage.
Espere um minuto, por favor.
Wait a minute, please.
Faça uma pergunta se precisar.
Ask a question if you need to.
Abra a janela quando chegar.
Open the window when you arrive.
Use não before a negative command
For negative commands, use não followed by the subjunctive form: não fale, não espere, não abra. This pattern works with você and with formal written instructions, though everyday regional speech can differ. A gentle expression such as por favor or melhor não can make a suggestion feel less forceful.
The imperative is not rude by itself; context, tone, and wording shape how a request feels. In a café, pode trazer a conta? (could you bring the check?) may sound more natural than a bare command. Direct commands are useful for directions, instructions, and familiar exchanges.
Não se preocupe; eu posso esperar.
Don’t worry; I can wait.
Não coloque a mochila no corredor.
Don’t put the backpack in the hallway.
Pode repetir essa parte, por favor?
Could you repeat that part, please?
Put it into practice
For a standard você command, try fale, espere, or abra; for a negative command, use não + the subjunctive form. Match tu patterns to the regional speech you hear.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Could you repeat that part, please”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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