At a Shoe Repair Shop in Brazil: Describe a Broken Sole or Heel — Practice

Show the problem and name the part

A shoe repairer is a sapateiro, and a shoe is a sapato. The sole is sola; the heel is salto; a zipper is zíper. Point to the damage and explain whether a piece is loose, worn, or broken.

Ask what repair is possible

Consertar means to repair. You can ask whether it is possible to replace one part or whether the repairer recommends another option. If the shoes are leather or a delicate material, identify that before agreeing to the repair.

Confirm the estimate and pickup date

Ask for an estimate (orçamento) and a completion date before leaving the shoes. Repeat the pickup day and ask whether you need a receipt or order number.

Remember: Name the damaged part, ask which repair is possible, and confirm the estimate before leaving your shoes.

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. The sole is coming unglued. Can you glue it again?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   A sola está descolando. Dá para colar de novo?

2. The heel is worn and needs to be replaced.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   O salto está gasto e precisa ser trocado.

3. Can you replace the zipper on this boot?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Você consegue trocar o zíper desta bota?

4. What kind of repair do you recommend?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Qual tipo de conserto você recomenda?

5. How much is the repair, and when will it be ready?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Quanto fica o conserto e para quando fica pronto?

6. Do I need to keep this receipt to pick them up?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Preciso guardar este comprovante para retirar?

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.

Name the damaged part, ask which repair is possible, and confirm the estimate before leaving your shoes.

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 Shoe Repair Shop in Brazil: Describe a Broken Sole or Heel 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.