What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb ir (to go), the preposition para (to/towards) and the noun casa (house/home).
Which one should you use?
While English uses 'home' as an adverb in this context, Portuguese uses the noun casa preceded by a preposition.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a formal command, you can use Volte para casa. The expression Regresse para casa. is also a formal way to say 'return home', specifically used in Portugal. Conversely, Vai para casa. is an informal way to say 'go home'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the colloquial expression vai pra casa is commonly used. In spoken Brazilian Portuguese, the preposition para is almost always contracted to pra, resulting in ir pra casa.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb ir must be conjugated to match the subject. For example, to say 'I am going home', use vou para casa (first person singular) and to say 'he/she goes home', use vai para casa (third person singular).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈi(ʁ) pa.ɾɐ ˈka.zɐ/. It has 4 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The verb ir is a linguistic puzzle called a suppletive verb. Its different forms actually come from three entirely different Latin verbs: 'īre', 'vādere' and 'esse'.
- In some contexts, casa is used in idioms to describe stability, such as the phrase casa caiu, which literally means 'the house fell' but is used when a plan fails or a secret is exposed.
- The word casa comes from the Latin word for 'cottage' and may be linked to an ancient root meaning 'to weave together', describing how early huts were made.
Examples in context
- Quero ir para casa.I want to go home.This sentence shows how to express a desire to use ir para casa.Tatoeba #912217 by alexmarcelo, translation #256506 by CK
- Posso ir para casa?May I go home?This sentence is used to ask permission to use ir para casa.Tatoeba #1313348 by brauliobezerra, translation #256787 by CK
- Deveria ir para casa.I should go home.This sentence expresses an obligation or suggestion to use ir para casa.Tatoeba #1715282 by alexmarcelo, translation #1714209 by gleki
- Caro Pedro, já está a ficar tarde. Por que não volta para casa e descansa? Amanhã temos um dia cheio pela frente.Dear Pedro, it is already getting late. Why don't you go home and rest? Tomorrow we have a full day ahead.
- Ei, João! Já está na hora de ires para casa, senão vais ter problemas com a tua mãe!Hey, João! It's already time for you to go home, otherwise you'll have problems with your mother!
- 139 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Camila and Gabriel are finishing a late dinner at a restaurant.
- CamilaGabriel, está muito tarde.Gabriel, it is very late.
- GabrielSim, eu também quero ir para casa.Yes, I also want to go home.
- CamilaVocê quer pedir um táxi?Do you want to call a taxi?
- GabrielNão, eu vou dirigir.No, I will drive.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (ir, para, casa) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries casa, ir, para, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
