Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| sair | /saˈi(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /saˈi(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
| partir | /paʁˈt͡ʃi(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /paɾˈt͡ʃi(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
| ir embora | /ˈi(ɾ) ẽˈbɔ.ɾɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈi(ɾ) ĩˈbɔ.ɾɐ/ (Brazil) |
The phrase is used to describe the act of departing or leaving a place.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ir embora is composed of the verb ir (to go) and the adverb embora (away/elsewhere).
Which one should you use?
ir embora is used when the focus is on the departure itself or the act of leaving a location for good or for a period of time. For more formal or literary contexts, you may use partir, which translates more closely to 'to depart'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal situations, you can use partir or more polite requests like Afaste-se, por favor. (Please move away) or Peço que se retire. (I request that you leave). Se manda! is a colloquial way to tell someone to leave, often used in a dismissive or annoyed manner, while cai fora! is a highly informal and blunt way to tell someone to go away or get lost.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazilian Portuguese, you can say Vai embora! to mean 'Go away!' and Sai daqui! or Desaparece da minha vista! to mean 'Get out of here!' or 'Disappear from my sight!' In European Portuguese, the forms Vai-te embora! ('Go away!') and Afasta-te daqui! ('Move away from here!') are used.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase ir embora can be used in the imperative to command someone to leave. Vá embora is the imperative form used for the third person (você), while vai embora is the imperative form used for the second person (tu) or as an informal command for 'você' in many Brazilian dialects.
How do you pronounce it?
/saˈi(ʁ)/
When do people say it?
If you are angry, you might use interjections such as vá/vai embora!, se/te manda! or cai fora! to dismiss someone.
Did you know?
- The common adverb embora actually comes from the phrase 'em boa ora', which translates to 'in a good hour' or 'at a good time'.
- The Portuguese verb partir is used for both a person leaving a place and a physical object breaking into pieces.
- If you tell someone Cai fora!, you are literally telling them to 'fall outside'.
Examples in context
- Eu não quero ir embora.I don't want to go away.This sentence shows the use of ir embora in a negative statement.Tatoeba #2033320 by alexmarcelo, translation #3826450 by CK
- Tom não quer ir embora.Tom doesn't want to go away.This sentence shows the use of ir embora with a third-person subject.Tatoeba #5374358 by ajdavidl, translation #3826449 by CK
- Eu disse para você ir embora.I said go away.This sentence shows the use of ir embora in a reported command.Tatoeba #2576158 by marcospcruz, translation #2405821 by CK
- Sai daqui!Get out of here!
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Beatriz and Felipe are deciding when to head to a party.
- BeatrizFelipe, a que horas vamos sair?Felipe, what time are we going to leave?
- FelipeEu quero sair logo para evitar o trânsito.I want to leave soon to avoid the traffic.
- BeatrizTudo bem, então vamos sair agora.Alright, then let's leave now.
- FelipeÓtimo, eu já estou pronto.Great, I am already ready.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “go away” translations and entries sair, partir, ir embora, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries embora, ir, partir, sair, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
