At a University Library in Brazil: Borrowing Books in Portuguese — Practice

Find a book or section

Biblioteca is library and acervo refers to a collection. If you know the title or author, ask whether the book is in the collection. If you are looking for a topic, ask which section might help.

Libraries organize materials differently, so use the catalog or ask staff to confirm the shelf or digital location. A book listed online may be checked out or available only in another format.

Ask about borrowing and return dates

Empréstimo means a loan service and devolver is to return something. Ask which student identification is needed and when the item must be returned. Loan periods and renewal rules vary, so confirm the library's current policy.

If you need more time, ask before the due date whether renovação is possible. The item may have a renewal limit or be requested by another student.

Get help with digital resources

A university library may provide journals, e-books, or research databases. Ask whether access requires a campus account or another sign-in method. Access can depend on the institution and the resource's license.

If a page does not open, describe the resource and message you see. Staff may point you to the right portal or explain whether remote access is available.

Remember: Give the title or subject, ask about borrowing and due dates, and confirm access rules with library staff.

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. Do you know where the linguistics section is?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Você sabe onde fica a seção de linguística?

2. Is this book available to borrow?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Este livro está disponível para empréstimo?

3. What is the deadline to return this book?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Qual é o prazo para devolver este livro?

4. Can I renew the loan through the system?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Posso renovar o empréstimo pelo sistema?

5. How do I access the university's digital journals?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Como acesso as revistas digitais da universidade?

6. Do I need to sign in with my institutional account?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Preciso entrar com minha conta institucional?

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

Give the title or subject, ask about borrowing and due dates, and confirm access rules with library staff.

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our At a University Library in Brazil: Borrowing Books in Portuguese lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.