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Em caso de incêndio, a saída de emergência fica junto ao elevador.

Em caso de incêndio, a saída de emergência fica junto ao elevador.
In case of fire, the emergency exit is next to the elevator.
FromLesson 23inHardcore Portuguese (Portugal)

Breakdown of Em caso de incêndio, a saída de emergência fica junto ao elevador.

de
of
em
in
o incêndio
the fire
a saída
the exit
o caso
the case
a emergência
the emergency
junto a
next to
o elevador
the elevator

Questions & Answers about Em caso de incêndio, a saída de emergência fica junto ao elevador.

Why is there no article before incêndio in em caso de incêndio?
“Em caso de” is a fixed phrase used in warnings and instructions meaning “in case of.” We don’t insert an article there, so it remains em caso de incêndio (“in case of fire”). Adding an article (e.g. em caso do incêndio) is grammatically possible but uncommon on signs because it’s less direct.
Why is incêndio masculine but saída feminine?
In Portuguese, noun gender is often arbitrary. Words ending in -o (like incêndio) are typically masculine, so you’d say o incêndio. Words ending in -a (like saída) are typically feminine, so you say a saída. Articles, adjectives and pronouns must agree with each noun’s gender.
What does fica mean in this sentence?
Here, fica comes from the verb ficar, meaning “to be located” or “to lie.” So a saída de emergência fica junto ao elevador translates as “the emergency exit is located next to the elevator.”
Why not use está instead of fica?
While estar can also indicate location (está = “is”), ficar is often used in formal instructions and signage to convey “to be situated.” It feels more technical or fixed for permanent features.
Why do we say junto ao elevador instead of junto a elevador?
The preposition phrase junto a (“next to”) requires the definite article when referring to a specific object. Here, a (preposition) + o (article) contracts to ao, giving junto ao elevador = “next to the elevator.” Omitting the article (junto a elevador) is incorrect in this context.
What’s the difference between junto ao, perto de and ao lado do?
  • junto ao = “right next to,” immediate adjacency (formal, often on signs)
  • perto de = “near,” broader proximity, not necessarily touching
  • ao lado do = “beside,” very close too, similar to junto ao but slightly more conversational
Why are there two des in this sentence?

They serve different functions:
1) saída de emergência – the first de links “exit” (saída) to “emergency” (emergência) (exit of emergency).
2) junto ao elevador – the second de is part of the prepositional structure junto a (“next to”) plus the article o (a + o = ao).

Why do incêndio and emergência have accents?

Portuguese accents mark both stress and vowel quality.

  • Incêndio has a circumflex (ê) to show a closed e sound and that the stress falls on that syllable.
  • Emergência has an acute accent (é) to mark an open e sound and its stressed position.
    Without these accents, default stress rules would place the emphasis on a different syllable.
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