Ficar

The verb 'ficar' is frequently used since it can convey a variety of meanings. Mastering its various uses can greatly enhance your language proficiency.

Depending on the situation, it can translate to 'stay,' 'get,' 'become' or 'turn out,' and it is also used to indicate a location, preferences and commitments.

Here are some examples of how 'ficar' is used in multiple contexts:

To stay / to remain:

• Eles ficaram num hotel. (They stayed in a hotel.)
• Eles ficaram em silêncio durante muito tempo. (They stayed silent for a long time.)
• Hoje fico a trabalhar até tarde. (Today I remain working till late.)

To become / to get

• 🤒 Eu fiquei doente por causa da comida. (I became ill because of the food.)
• Ele ficou nervoso quando a viu. (He got nervous when he saw her.)

To turn out

• 🍲 A sopa ficou muito salgada. (The soup turned out very salty.)
• Vai ficar tudo bem. (Everything will turn out well.)

To be (permanently or usually located)

• Os talheres ficam na segunda gaveta. (The cutlery is in the second drawer.)
• 🛏️ Os quartos ficam no segundo andar. (The bedrooms are on the second floor.)
• Onde fica o restaurante? (Where is the restaurant?)

To obtain / to keep

• 🏠 Eles vão ficar com a casa. (They’re going to get the house.)
• 🧥 Queres ficar com este casaco? Já não uso. (Do you want to keep this jacket? I don't wear it anymore.)

To be left

• 🧒 As crianças ficaram sozinhas. (The children were left alone.)
• 🚗 As compras ficaram no carro. (The shopping was left in the car.)

To fit / to suit / to look good or bad

• Esse vestido fica-te muito bem. (That dress suits you very well.)
• 🎩 Ela ficou horrível com aquele chapéu. (She looked awful with that hat.)
• Estes sapatos ficam-me apertados. (These shoes fit me tight.)

To run out of

• 📱 O telemóvel ficou sem bateria. (The mobile phone ran out of batery.)
• Estamos a ficar sem dinheiro. (We are running out of money.)

To postpone / to schedule

• 📋 A reunião ficou para amanhã. (The meeting was scheduled for tomorrow.)
• 📅 Hoje não podes vir. Então fica para amanhã. (You can't come today. Then it will be next week.)

To commit

• Eu fiquei de falar com ela sobre isso. (I committed to talking to her about that.)
• 🍰 Eles ficaram de trazer o bolo. (They committed to bringing the cake.)