sair
/saˈi(ʁ)/
The English phrase 'leave' is translated into Portuguese as sair.
Sair is used to express the act of going away from a place. When you want to specify the place you are leaving, you must use the preposition de after sair, forming the phrase sair de (to leave from).
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between leaving a place and leaving an object or person. While sair means to depart from a location, the verb deixar is used when you leave something or someone behind. Additionally, in European Portuguese, partir typically suggests a more definitive or permanent departure compared to sair.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazilian Portuguese, speakers usually prefer sair over partir when expressing that they are leaving. Brazilians also frequently use the expression ir embora instead of partir to express leaving.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb changes in the past tense (preterite). The first-person singular form is saí (I left), and the third-person plural form is saíram (they left).
How do you pronounce it?
/saˈi(ʁ)/
Did you know?
- In Brazil, sair is used not only to leave a place but also to describe the act of dating someone, as in sair com alguém.
- The phrase sair da linha literally means 'to leave the line' but is used as an idiom for behaving badly or acting out.
- The verb sair is etymologically related to the English word 'salient', which describes something that leaps or jumps out at you.
Examples in context
- Desculpe-me, preciso sair mais cedo hoje.Excuse me, I need to leave earlier today.
- Infelizmente, tenho que partir agora.Unfortunately, I have to leave now.
- Agradeço pela oportunidade, mas preciso me retirar.I appreciate the opportunity, but I need to leave.
- Vamos embora daqui antes que comece a chover.Let's leave from here before it starts raining.
- Chega! Vou dar o fora agora.Enough! I'm leaving right now.
- Esse lugar está péssimo, vamos vazar daqui.This place is awful, let's leave.
- Eu vou sair agora.I am going to leave now.
- Eu preciso sair agora.I need to leave now.
- Eles vão sair de casa às oito.They are going to leave the house at eight.
- Você quer sair para jantar?Do you want to go out to dinner?
Example conversation
Lucas and Juliana are deciding when to go to a party.
- LucasA que horas vamos sair?What time are we leaving?
- JulianaEu quero sair cedo hoje.I want to leave early today.
- LucasTudo bem, eu saio com você.All right, I will leave with you.
- JulianaObrigada, Lucas!Thanks, Lucas!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sair, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sair, CC BY-SA 4.0.
