Meaning
An invitation or command to approach.
Cultural Background
Brazilians often use 'Vem cá' to start a piece of gossip or share a secret. It signals intimacy. In Portugal, 'Vem cá' is very common, but 'Venha cá' is used to maintain a polite distance while still being friendly. Similar to Portugal, the use of 'cá' is very frequent in Luanda for calling someone over.
Soften it up
Always add 'por favor' when speaking to people you don't know well.
The Brazilian 'Vem'
Don't be surprised if you see 'Vem' in books or subtitles where 'Venha' should be; Brazil uses it everywhere.
Meaning
An invitation or command to approach.
Soften it up
Always add 'por favor' when speaking to people you don't know well.
The Brazilian 'Vem'
Don't be surprised if you see 'Vem' in books or subtitles where 'Venha' should be; Brazil uses it everywhere.
Test Yourself
Choose the most polite way to ask a stranger to come to your desk.
_______, por favor.
'Venha aqui' is the standard formal imperative for 'você'.
Complete the informal Brazilian sentence.
Oi, amigo! ____ aqui ver isso.
In informal Brazilian Portuguese, 'Vem' is the preferred command for friends.
Match the phrase to the register.
Registers and Phrases
Each phrase fits a specific social context.
What would a mother say to her child playing far away?
Mãe: 'Filho, ________! Está na hora de comer.'
She wants the child to move toward her.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercises_______, por favor.
'Venha aqui' is the standard formal imperative for 'você'.
Oi, amigo! ____ aqui ver isso.
In informal Brazilian Portuguese, 'Vem' is the preferred command for friends.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Each phrase fits a specific social context.
Mãe: 'Filho, ________! Está na hora de comer.'
She wants the child to move toward her.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsGrammatically, 'Vem' is for 'tu' and 'Venha' is for 'você'. However, in Brazil, 'Vem aqui' is used by everyone in casual speech.
'Aqui' is a precise location. 'Cá' is more vague, meaning 'to this side' or 'this way'.
Only if you add 'por favor' and use a polite tone, or better yet, say 'Poderia vir aqui?'.
Related Phrases
Chega mais
similarCome closer / Join us
Aproxime-se
formalApproach
Vem cá
synonymCome here
