Segure o copo com as duas mãos.

Segure comes from the verb segurar, which often means to hold, to keep hold of, or to grip.

In this sentence, segure means something like:

• hold
• keep holding
• grip

So it is telling someone to hold the glass, not just touch it.

It is the affirmative imperative form, used for giving an instruction or command.

In Brazilian Portuguese, segure is the standard imperative form used with:

• você
• o senhor / a senhora

So the full idea is:

• (Você) segure o copo... = Hold the glass...

The subject você is usually omitted because Portuguese often leaves subject pronouns unstated when they are understood.

It is understood, not written.

Portuguese often drops subject pronouns when the meaning is clear from the verb form or context. So:

• Segure o copo... literally has no written you
• but it means You, hold the glass...

This is very normal in Portuguese.

In standard grammar, segure is the command form for você.

A quick comparison:

• você segura = you hold / you are holding in a statement
• segure! = hold! as a command to você

That said, in informal spoken Brazilian Portuguese, you may sometimes hear segura! used as a command too. It is very common in speech, but segure is the more standard textbook form for você.

O is the masculine singular definite article, meaning the.

So:

• o copo = the glass
• um copo = a glass

Portuguese uses definite articles more often than English does. In a situation like this, o copo usually refers to a specific glass that both speaker and listener understand.

Usually copo means glass or drinking cup/container, especially a regular drinking glass.

Common related words:

• copo = glass, tumbler, generic drinking cup
• xícara = cup, especially for coffee or tea
• taça = stemmed glass, like a wine glass

So in this sentence, the glass is the most natural translation in most contexts.

Portuguese expresses both hands here as as duas mãos, literally the two hands.

So:

• com = with
• as duas mãos = the two hands / both hands

This is a very natural Portuguese way to say with both hands.

A very direct equivalent using both also exists:

• com ambas as mãos

But com as duas mãos is very common and natural in everyday speech.

Yes, but they are not exactly the same in tone.

• com as duas mãos = the most natural everyday phrasing here
• com ambas as mãos = correct, a bit more formal or emphatic
• com duas mãos = possible, but it can sound less specific, more like using two hands in general rather than with both of your hands

So for this sentence, com as duas mãos is an excellent natural choice.

Because mão is a feminine noun.

• a mão = the hand
• as mãos = the hands
• duas mãos = two hands

This can surprise English speakers, because noun gender in Portuguese does not always match the ending pattern you might expect.

So in the sentence:

• as duas mãos is feminine plural all the way through

Yes. In natural Brazilian pronunciation, the words flow together.

A rough pronunciation guide:

• Segure o copo com as duas mãos
• approximately: seh-GOO-reh oo KOH-po koh-maz DOO-az MOWNS

A few helpful notes:

• segure has stress on gu
• o copo often sounds almost like u copo in casual speech
• com as often links and sounds like comaz
• mãos has a nasal sound, which is important in Portuguese

If you want to sound natural, try saying it smoothly rather than word by word.

By itself, it is simply an instruction or command, but not necessarily rude.

Its tone depends a lot on:

• voice
• context
• facial expression
• punctuation

For example, it could be:

• a careful instruction to a child
• a safety instruction
• a calm request in a practical situation

If you want to make it softer, Portuguese often adds words like:

• por favor = please

So:

• Segure o copo com as duas mãos, por favor.

sounds more clearly polite.

Yes. Portuguese allows some flexibility.

The most neutral version is:

• Segure o copo com as duas mãos.

But you could also say:

• Com as duas mãos, segure o copo.

This puts more emphasis on with both hands.

Both are correct, but the original order sounds very natural and straightforward.