At a Brazilian Library: Borrow, Renew, and Return Books — Practice

Ask where to find a book

Biblioteca means library, while livraria means bookstore. This distinction helps you find the right place. In a library, you can ask whether a title is available and where a section is located.

The word exemplar can mean a copy of a book. If you have an author’s name or a title, say it slowly or write it down so the librarian can search the catalog accurately.

Check the borrowing rules and due date

Borrowing rules differ by library. Ask whether you need a carteirinha (library card), how many items you can take, and when they are due. Devolver is the verb for returning an item; renovar is to renew a loan.

A data de devolução is the return date. If you need more time, ask about renewal before that date and confirm whether the request can be made online or in person.

Remember: Use biblioteca for a library and livraria for a bookstore. Ask about the card, loan period, return date, and renewal method because each institution sets its own rules.

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 have this book in the collection?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Vocês têm este livro no acervo?

2. Where is the literature section?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Onde fica a seção de literatura?

3. Can I check the catalog?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Posso consultar o catálogo?

4. What do I need to get a library card?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   O que preciso para fazer uma carteirinha?

5. What is the return date?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Qual é a data de devolução?

6. Can I renew the loan on the website?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Dá para renovar o empréstimo pelo site?

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.

Use biblioteca for a library and livraria for a bookstore. Ask about the card, loan period, return date, and renewal method because each institution sets its own rules.

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 Brazilian Library: Borrow, Renew, and Return Books 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.