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Atravesse a rua no semáforo e vire à direita.

Atravesse a rua no semáforo e vire à direita.
Cross the street at the traffic light and turn right.
FromLesson 11inHardcore Portuguese (Brazil)
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Questions & Answers about Atravesse a rua no semáforo e vire à direita.

What verb forms are Atravesse and vire?
They are the affirmative imperative for você (second person in meaning, third person in form). In Brazilian Portuguese, commands to você use the present subjunctive forms: atravesse (from atravessar) and vire (from virar). These are the standard way to give directions.
Can I say atravessa or vira instead?

Only if you’re addressing tu. The affirmative imperative with tu is atravessa / vira. In Brazil, many regions don’t use tu at all; where they do, forms vary. When in doubt, stick to você: atravesse, vire.
For addressing more than one person (vocês): atravessem, virem.

Why does à direita have a grave accent?
It’s the crase: preposition a + article a (from the feminine noun direita) = à. You use it for directions and positions: à direita, à esquerda. It literally means “to the right/on the right.”
Is it wrong to write vire a direita without the accent?
Yes, in standard writing it’s a spelling mistake; it should be vire à direita. You may see the accent omitted on signs or in all-caps text, but the correct form has the grave accent.
What does no mean in no semáforo?
No is the contraction of em + o = “at the/on the/in the.” So no semáforo = “at the traffic light.” We use em (not a) for location: “at” a place.
Is semáforo the usual Brazilian word? Are there regional alternatives?

All are understood, but usage varies:

  • sinal (very common)
  • farol (common in parts of Brazil; context makes it clear it’s a traffic light, not a lighthouse/headlight)
  • semáforo (more formal/neutral, taught in textbooks)
  • sinaleira (regional, especially in the South)
Can I say para a direita instead of à direita?
Yes: vire para a direita is correct and common. À direita is a bit more compact and very idiomatic in directions. Both sound natural.
Are there other verbs for “turn” besides virar?

Yes, depending on context/region:

  • dobrar: dobre à direita (very common in directions)
  • entrar: entre à direita (turn into a street/entrance)
  • pegar: pega/pegue à direita (colloquial: “take a right”)
Does vire à direita work for both drivers and pedestrians?
Yes. It’s neutral and works for either. Alternatives like entre à direita are more specific to vehicles entering a street/driveway.
How do I pronounce the sentence?

Approximation: ah-trah-VEH-seh ah HOO-ah noo seh-MAH-foh-roh ee VEE-ree ah djee-RAY-tah.
Tips:

  • Initial r in rua is a guttural H-like sound.
  • The r in direita (between vowels) is a light flap (like the American “tt” in butter).
  • Stress: atraVESe, semÁforo, VIre, diREIta.
Why a rua and not na rua?
Because atravessar takes a direct object: atravessar a rua = “to cross the street.” na rua would mean “in/on the street,” not the object being crossed.
Could I drop a rua and just say Atravesse no semáforo?
Yes, if context makes it obvious you’re talking about crossing the street. Directions often omit obvious words: Atravesse no semáforo e vire à direita.
Do I need a comma before e?
No. In Portuguese, you don’t normally use a comma before e when simply joining two verbs with the same subject: …no semáforo e vire… is correct without a comma.
Is the tone polite or bossy? How can I soften it?
It’s neutral/polite for giving directions to a stranger. To soften, add por favor: Por favor, atravesse a rua… e vire à direita. To sound more casual, you can also use the infinitive in signs/announcements: Atravessar a rua… Virar à direita.
What about the negative? How would I say “Don’t cross” or “Don’t turn right”?
Use não + the same subjunctive forms: Não atravesse a rua no semáforo. / Não vire à direita.