Conjunctions & Useful Bits Flashcards
conjunctions, fixed expressions, etc
1
Q
a menos que
A
unless
2
Q
Como assim?
A
What do you mean?
(most natural way to say this)
3
Q
À medida que
A
While/As something is happening
(or you can use enquanto)
4
Q
Assim que (or Mal)
A
As soon as
(Assim que/Mal chegues, fecha a porta, means: As soon as you arrive, please close the door)
5
Q
se não
A
if not
6
Q
Fazer comichão
A
To be itchy
7
Q
Ter a ver com
A
To have to do with
(example: “Demorar” tem a ver com tempo, means: “Demorar” (the word) has to do with time”)
8
Q
ainda que
A
even though / even if
(“Ainda que chova, vou à praia.” (Even if it rains, I’m going to the beach.)
(“Ainda que estivesse cansado, foi ao trabalho.” (Even though he was tired, he went to work.)
9
Q
onde quer que
A
wherever
10
Q
tarde de mais
A
too late
11
Q
já acabaste?
A
are you finished?
12
Q
tal como
A
just like
13
Q
por quanto tempo
A
for how long
14
Q
mesmo assim
A
even so, still
(like saying “anyway” too - eg “Está a chover, mas vou à praia mesmo assim.” (It’s raining, but I’m going to the beach anyway.)
15
Q
tanto quanto
A
as much as
(eg Tu vais comer tanto quanto ela puser no teu prato: You (friend) will eat as much as she puts on your plate)
16
Q
Chegar a horas
A
To arrive on time
17
Q
tão bom quanto
A
As good as
18
Q
ainda bem
A
thank god
(a PT common expression like “ainda bem que estavas..” is “thank god that you were…”.)
Example: Ainda bem que estavas disposto a fazer isto, means: Thank God you were willing to do this
19
Q
Como queiras
A
Whatever
(to show that you do not care about the conclusion of the conversation, a bit rude)
20
Q
Pode ser (or Como quiseres)
A
Whatever (to agree on something, maybe making a compromise)
21
Q
ao virar da esquina
A
around the corner
22
Q
ficar à vontade
A
Make yourself at home (or “Put yourself at ease”)
23
Q
Fazer sentido
A
to make sense
24
Q
que confusão
A
what a mess
25
venho já
i'll be right back
26
ainda não
not yet
27
tanto faz
it doesn't matter (or "whatever" or "either is fine")
(Queres chá ou café? you reply: tanto faz)
28
uns com os outros
with one another
(eg precisamos praticar falar uns com os outros, we need to practice speaking with each other)
29
agora mesmo
right now
30
às vezes
sometimes
31
Mais/menos do que
more than, less than
32
quanto a
when it comes to (something/someone)
33
em lado nenhum
nowhere
(and the phrase for "nowhere to be found" is actually "não está em lado nenhum")
34
em todo o lado
everywhere
35
qualquer coisa
anything
36
casa contrário
otherwise
37
para sempre
forever
38
como sempre
as always
39
por isso
for that reason
40
tal/tais
such (singular/plural)
41
sempre que
whenever
42
a maior parte
most (majority)
43
em vez de
instead of
44
a última parte
the last part
45
até lá
until then (and also "by then")
46
de repente
suddenly (must use 'de')
47
acabar de
just (as in "acabei de comer" i just ate)
48
olha só
check it out
49
em dia
up to date (used together to form this expression)
50
de facto
actually (or na verdade)
51
na verdade
actually (or de facto)
52
Além de (que)
Plus/Moreover/Besides
(with 'que' at end, it becomes more like adding "besides the fact that")
53
no geral
in general
54
ao lado de
to the side of
55
algures
somewhere
56
Cá dentro
(and all forms of [X] dentro)
Inside (the place you are at)
follows the same pattern for places:
Lá dentro = Inside (a place you are not at)
Aqui dentro = Inside (close to the speaker)
Aí dentro = Inside (close to the listener)
Ali dentro = Inside (not close to the speaker nor the listener)
57
quer dizer
I mean, or like 'that is to say'
( "i cook, meaning (or 'that is'), i cook on a bbq' - eu cozinho, quer dizer, eu cozinho no meu churrasco )
similar to Isto é, or ou seja
58
isto é
that is/i mean
(I like speeches, I mean, listening to speeches. Eu gosto de discursos, isto é, ouvir discursos)
similar to quer dizer or ou seja
59
ou seja
meaning, that is
( "i cook, meaning (or 'that is'), i cook on a bbq' - eu cozinho, ou seja, eu cozinho no meu churrasco )
similar to Isto é, or quer dizer
60
ao passo que
whereas
61
por mais que
even if
used in the sense of 'no matter how much' vs mesmo que, also meaning 'even if' but with a conditional scenario.
"Por mais que" would work in a sentence where you're emphasizing the degree, like "Por mais que eu tente, não consigo entender matemática" ("No matter how much I try, I can't understand math")
62
mesmo que
even if
used more directly to mean "even if", setting up a clear conditional scenario
So, "Mesmo que eu chegue atrasado, começa sem mim" directly translates to "Even if I'm late, start without me"
63
uma vez que
since
(but more formal than já que which is more informal, note: means "given that" or "since" in the sense of "because," not "since" as in "from a certain time." )
64
já que
since
( means "given that" or "since" in the sense of "because," not "since" as in "from a certain time.")
(more casual, like saying "since" or "seeing that" in everyday conversation)
65
portanto
therefore, and also means "so"
66
ainda assim
even so, nevertheless
like saying, "Despite everything, (this is still true.)"
67
todavia
nevertheless, however
considered a bit more formal than contudo, no entanto, or others
68
ter pena de
to pity or feel sorry for
69
mesmo (5 common meanings)
for accuracy: exactly, right, still (eg. é aqui mesmo is "it's right here" or "é isso mesmo" is "that's exactly it!" or "agora mesmo" is "right now" or "a loja fechou agora mesmo" is "the shop just closed")
as "really" - like "o bolo está mesmo bom" is "the cake is really good" or with verbs like "tenho mesmo de ir" is "i really have to go"
for "even, yet, or still" - like "mesmo assim" is "still/yet" (...mas mesmo assim - ...but still) or "mesmo quando" for "even when" (mesmo quando está calor - even when it's hot) or "mesmo que" is "even if" though requires subjunctive)
as "the same" (common use, fem or masc)
as "herself/himself" in the same way we use propria/o (ela mesma levou - she herself carried)
70
andar (verb, multiple meanings)
to walk
to ride
to be
to come [in imperative]
(examples: eu ando de carro is 'i travel by car', onde é que ele anda? is "where is he?" and "anda cá" is "come here" as imperative)
71
custa o que custar
no matter what
translating literally to "costs what it costs" but figuratively meaning "no matter what" or "whatever it takes"
72
ficar (4 common meanings)
to stay
to become/get
to keep
to be situated
(e.g. eu fico em casa is "i stay at home", a casa fica perto o campo is "the house is near the field", eu fiquei muito contente is "i was very happy"..., fica com este vestido [keep this dress] - or, o casaco fica-te bem is "the jacket looks good on you" or esse colar fica-te mal is "that necklace looks bad on you")
73
fazer
(common meanings beyond "to make/to do")
To Make or To Do: the most direct translation of "fazer".
To Perform or To Carry Out: In contexts involving actions, tasks, or activities, "fazer" means to perform or carry out. eg "fazer uma operação" (to perform an operation)
To Cause: It can imply causing something to happen. For example, "fazer alguém rir" (to make someone laugh), "isso faz sentido" (that makes sense).
To Take (Time): When talking about the duration of an activity, "fazer" is used. For example, "fazer duas horas" (to take two hours).
To Be (Weather): In expressions about weather, example, "faz sol" (it's sunny), "faz frio" (it's cold).
To Have (Age): When referring to age, Portuguese uses "fazer". For example, "ele faz 10 anos hoje" (he turns 10 today).
Idiomatic Expressions: "Fazer" appears in many idiomatic expressions, where its meaning can be more abstract, such as "fazer vista grossa" (to turn a blind eye), "fazer as pazes" (to make peace).
To Pretend: Sometimes, "fazer" can mean to pretend, as in "fazer de conta" (to pretend or make believe).
To Act (in a Role): In the context of theater or cinema, "fazer" can mean to act as a character, for example, "fazer o papel de" (to play the role of).
74
presta atenção
(to) pay attention
prestar conjugates
75
acertar na mosca
to hit the nail on the head
like saying 'exactly' but more artful
76
fazer da conta
to pretend
(ela fez de conta que não me viu is: she pretended that she didn't see me)
77
ter lata
to have nerve
If someone "tem lata", they're bold enough to do or say something that others might find surprising, inappropriate, or shameless. It's like having the nerve in English, but with a mix of brazenness and maybe a pinch of impudence.
78
de vez em quando
once in a blue moon
(literally "from time to time," meaning something that happens very rarely)
79
ficar de maos a abanar
To lose everything (To refer to someone losing an opportunity)
example: "Fiquei de mãos a abanar" means "I lost everything"
example: "Se isso acontecesse, ficavas de mãos a abanar" is "if that happened, you would lose everything"
literally "standing with hands waving." It's used when someone ends up with nothing or doesn't receive what they were expecting or hoping for.
80
pelo sim, pelo não
just in case (to be on the safe side)
81
tanto tempo
so long (so much time, as in "deram tanto tempo, they gave so much time...")
82
entretanto
meanwhile
(can also use "no entanto)
83
ter a certeza
to be certain (to be sure)
84
pelo menos
at least
85
alguma vez
ever
(or sometimes, but literally means "ever" - "Have you ever been here?" becomes "Já estiveste aqui alguma vez?" or, "Does it ever rain here?" can be translated as "Chove aqui alguma vez?" or "Alguma vez chove aqui?" for a slightly more idiomatic flair)
86
enfim
well, anyway(s)
(this is a common every day usage for "well/anyway" vs the more formal de qualquer forma suggesting "in any case" or "regardless")
87
Com que frequência...?
How often (?)
88
querer saber
To care (Não quero saber, means: I do not care)
89
cala a boca (or cala-te/se)
shut up (blunt, mostly rude)
90
sobretudo
above all (or 'especially')
91
dependendo de
depending on
92
"ou...ou" (and "ora...ora")
"either/or"
(e.g. ou chove, ou faz frio is "Either it rains or it is cold" - note that ou/ou is more common than ora/ora)
93
bem como
As well as (or 'along with' e.g. "Gosto de café, bem como de chá." I like coffee, as well as tea.)
94
como se
As if
(note: almost always followed by/used with *imperfect subjunctive*: "Ela falou como se soubesse de tudo." - She spoke as if she knew everything.")
95
contanto que
Provided that
96
ter cuidado
To take care/Be careful
97
É por isso que
That is why (that)...
98
de quem (or "cujo")
Whose
("de quem é este cão? whose dog is this?" - note that "cujo" is formal and for relative clauses not questions like "for those whose cars are parked...")
99
a propósito
by the way (F)
(note use of letter "a" - "o propósito" means "purpose/intent" as a masculine form)
100
andar de carro
To drive around
101
não tem de quê
you're welcome ("no need to thank")
(used like, "you're welcome, don't mention it" - you can use "de nada" but this is how locals would actually say, "theres no need to thank")
102
ser dia
to be light out
103
Já chegar de...
enough of...
(or "já chegar de" with any noun for "enough of .." OR more commonly by also using the infinitive verb form as a noun, like já chega de beber" means "enough drinking", vs "conversa" which would then become "enough talking")
104
Amigos, amigos. Negócios à parte.
friends are friends. business is business.
105
Isto não tem pés nem cabeça
this makes no sense
(this is a common idiomatic expression, "has no feet or head" versus using "fazer sentido")
106
Passar-se (or Perder a cabeça)
to refer to someone being angry or acting crazy
Estás-te a passar = You are crazy
A Michelle passou-se! = Michelle went crazy!
107
Baixa a bolinha (!)
telling somebody to shut up in an aggressive way
(means "lower the ball" - more assertive as idiom than "cala a boca" or "cala-te" for shut up)
108
pôr a pau
to be careful (in a forceful way)
Põe-te a pau = Be careful (advice/threat)
(used like "hey, be careful (what you do say" or we might fight, argue, etc...versus "tens cuidado" which can be harmless)
109
pois
since
(but different from "desde" - pois is causal, as in, "i will go since i know them" versus desde in a phrase like "since last year" (etc))
110
e se
What if
111
pôr mais alto/baixo
to raise or lower the volume (this is the expression you use for that)
112
antigamente
in the old times
(or an expression like, "Os bons velhos tempos" for "The good old times")
113
quanto mais (aprendo, or other v.)
"the more" I (learn, etc)
(for expressions, quanto does not repeat: "quanto mais aprendo, menos sei" is "the more i learn, the less i know")
114
tratar-se de
To be about
(example: "This film is about travel," you'd say, "Este filme trata-se de viagens.")
115
o quanto antes
ASAP
(not to be confused with just "o quanto" for "how much")
116
o quanto
how much (or "to what extent")
(used to express degree or extent of something like "Veja o quanto cresceu!" which means "See how much it grew!")
117
estar com pressa
to be in a hurry (or rush)
(estou com pressa, i'm in a hurry)
118
embora
although (though)
(for "even though" youd want to use "ainda que")
119
ter medo de
to be afraid of
120
vai-te foder
go f*** yourself/f.u. (also:
O caralho que te foda: a graphic way of telling someone off, emphasizing strong disdain or anger (literally means "the d*ck that f**ks you").
Vai-te foder: A common and direct way to say "f*ck you."
Vai para o caralho: Literally "go to the d*ck," it's equivalent to "f*ck off."
Vai à merda: literally "go to sh*t," used to tell someone to get lost or express strong disapproval.
Foda-se: Often used as "f*ck it" but can also mean "f*ck you" depending on tone and context.
121
ir buscar a
to go get
(from "to go" and "buscar" which is "to fetch or pick up" - used for both people and objects)
122
mais vale
it is better ("better to" like "mais vale prevenir do que remediar" is "better to prevent than remedy")
("you better" - also means this, as in, "Mais vale fazeres o trabalho de casa, senão..." (You better do your homework, or...")
123
com que
in which, with what
(eg "The speed with which she speaks." is "A velocidade com que ela fala." or "Com que caneta escreveste isso?" (With what pen did you write that?" or talking about manner: "Com que facilidade ele resolveu o problema!" (With what ease he solved the problem!))
124
estou para
about to
(as in, "i'm about to start studying" is "Estou para começar a estudar." and "Estou para te ligar." is "I was about to call you")
125
muitas vezes
often (many times)
(a way to say "often" that's more colloquial than "frequentemente" - though both are fine)
126
pronto para
ready for
(example: "Estou pronto para aprender português." (I am ready to learn Portuguese.)
127
a ponto de
to be about to
("Estou a ponto de ir para a praia." - "I'm about to go to the beach." - note that "prestes a" for "about to" is more common, the "a ponto do" form is more like at the brink of something, a bit more dramatic, like "ela estava a ponto de desistir" means "she was about to give up")
128
de partida
leaving (departing)
"Estou de partida para a praia" is "I am leaving for the beach."
129
para que
2 meanings:
so that (as in, "i need one so that i can get there" - "eu preciso de um para que possa chega lá")
in order that (used in a question format, "Para que é que precisas disso?" -"Why do you need that?")
130
fazer compras
to go shopping
(but: for the specific goal of acquiring things vs "ir as compras" which could simply mean exploring goods and the event around it - in this case, "ela precisa de fazer compras para a cozinha" is like "she needs to shop {buy things} for the kitchen")
131
mera/o
just / mere
"Mere" as in "She's a mere child" can translate to "Ela é uma mera criança".
"Just" as in "It's just a game" can be "É mera um jogo".
132
por pouco não
almost didn't/nearly didn't
("Por pouco não fiz um erro" translates to "I almost made a mistake")
133
no qual (na qual)
in which
(more formal than the common “em que”)
(agrees with noun for "no" or "na" like "O livro no qual eu encontrei a receita é..." - "the book in which infound the recipe is")
134
de cabeça para baixo
upside down
135
de bruços
face down
(meaning the position, like "ela foi de bruços")
136
será que
"Do you think?" or "I wonder if" (opening of statement)
("Será que vai chover amanhã?" is "I wonder if it will rain tomorrow?")
137
acho que sim
I think so
138
por acaso
by chance
139
É o próprio
That is me (answering a phone call)
140
estar a tempo de
To have enough time to still be able to (to be in time for)
("Eu estou a tempo de apanhar o último comboio."
"I am in time to catch the last train.")
141
passar tempo
To spend time
142
ser amigo de
To be friends with
(Sou amigo dela, I am friends with her)
143
Dar uma tareia
to refer to someone physically assaulting someone else
('kick ass' is also a way it's used, could also say "dar porrada a")
144
Puxar as orelhas
To refer to someone scolding or punishing children, mostly
145
Seja bom, seja mau
Be it good, be it bad
146
por cima
over, above, on top
(used for all three, like "Por favor, atira isso por cima do muro." is please, throw it over the wall")
• Por cima do muro: This phrase means "over the wall."
147
só que
but (except that, "it's just that")
( "mas" is the go-to for "but" and "só que" is more like emphasis: "Quero ir, só que estou cansado." - "I want to go, it's just that I'm tired.")
148
algo mais
something else
(also can use: mais alguma coisa)
149
que tal
what about / how about
(As a suggestion: "Que tal irmos ao cinema?" How about going to the movies?
Asking for an opinion: "Que tal esta camisa?" What about this shirt?)
Depending on the context, "que tal" can also mean:
How's it going?: When used as a casual greeting, like "What's up?")
150
a não ser que
unless
(more commonly used than "a menos que" - example: "Não vou sair a não ser que pare de chover." - "I won't go out unless it stops raining.")
151
ficar a ver
stand by
(Eles ficaram a ver enquanto o gato subia na árvore" means "They stood by while the cat climbed the tree." )
152
na maior parte do tempo
most of the time
(used the same way as in english)
153
importas-te de
to mind doing something
(Slightly informal but still polite, e.g., "Importas-te de ligar-lhes por nós?" - Do you mind calling them for us? - or "importa-se de" for the formal)
154
quebrar a chorar
breaking down crying
155
importas-te
Do you mind?
(and in a sentence: "importas-te se eu fazer isto?" "do you mind if i do this?" - and "...de eu.." is "do you mind me doing this?"
156
quem é que se importa?
"who really cares?"
(informal common expression)
157
mais ninguém
no one else / anybody else
("não contraria mais ninguém" is "i wouldnt hire anybody else")
158
estar às voltas
to be dealing with/messing around with (struggling with etc)
(“andar às voltas” is similar but less to do with mental struggle or frustration-related usage)
("com que verbo estás às voltas?" - "what verb are you wrestling with?")
("às voltas" means "at the turns" but figuratively means grappling with something)
159
Não importa
1/ no matter ("não importa o que eu gaste" - "no matter what i spend")
2/ never mind ("ahh, não importa" "ahh, never mind")
160
à tua espera
waiting for you (idiom)
(used like "ela esteve à tua espera" "she has been waiting for you" - and could be sua/him-her, or minha/waiting for me - and for "them" it becomes "à espera deles/as")
161
de sempre
1/ of all time
2/ as always (but refers to something that has always been the case or a long-standing situation. "Vamos ao restaurante de sempre." (We go to the usual restaurant/as always. Here, "de sempre" implies a habitual choice, much like "as always.")
162
é mesmo assim (or "é assim mesmo")
that's (just) the way it is (it's like that)
163
pôr em forma
to get in shape (exercise)
164
cada vez mais
more and more
165
"andar às voltas com"
to be struggling/wrestling with
(colloquial way to say this)
166
seja como for
be that as it may
167
estar em apuros
to be in trouble
168
a certa altura
at a certain time (where altura means time instead of height)
169
por um lado, por outro lado
on one hand... on the other
170
não há pressa
there's no rush (no hurry)
(can also simply say "sem pressa" for "without hurry")
171
mesmo ao lado
right next to
(w/any verb before, eg "Estou a caminhar mesmo ao lado dele." (I am walking right next to him.)
172
há uns dias
"a few days ago"
(há + (time period) = "há três horas" - "three hours ago" etc)
173
sente-te (or se) à vontade
"feel free (to)"
(sente-te, reflexive, "à vontade" means "at ease/free" - eg : "Sente-te à vontade para usá-lo." - "feel free to use it")
174
nem imaginas
"you wouldn't believe"
("nem imaginas o que eu vi ontem" - you wouldnt believe what i saw yesterday")
175
(já não) sou criança / crescido
"im not a child anymore" (ser criança)
"grown-up" ((estar) crescido)
(common phrase to express grown up, not a child - "ele está todo crescido" - "he's all grown up")
176
como sabes
"as you know,"
177
de dois em dois dias
every other day
(every two days - literally)
178
da próxima vez
next time
(comkon, you could also say algo como ""quando vieres cá outra vez" (when you come by again)
179
poderiam passar...
it could be... (could pass)
("Poderiam passar semanas antes de ela chegar" means "It could be weeks before she arrives.")
