VOCAB: SET 10 Flashcards
“lixar a pensar”
Slang for messing with your head:
“Para de me lixar a pensar.” (Stop messing with my head.)
arrasar (v)
Meaning “to crush it, slay”:
“Arrasaste com essa apresentação!” (You nailed that presentation!)
manta (n)
(vs cobertor)
Commonly used for lightweight blankets, especially those used on couches:
“Posso pegar na manta? Está frio aqui no sofá. (Can I grab the blanket? It’s cold here on the couch.)
Cobertor: Refers to thicker blankets, often for beds, but can be used more generally.
ressonar
To snore
“Ele ressonava como um urso.” (He was snoring like a bear.)
note: “roncar” also means to snore but is more brazilian
rosnar
To growl/snarl (used for dogs, wolves, or people speaking angrily).
“O cão começou a rosnar para o estranho.” (The dog started growling at the stranger.)
sussurrar
vs
cochichar
Cochichar = To whisper secretly or conspiratorially, often for gossip or plotting.
Example: As crianças cochichavam sobre uma travessura. (The kids were whispering about a prank.)
Sussurrar = To whisper softly or murmur, often gently or descriptively.
Example: Ela sussurrou palavras de conforto ao filho. (She whispered comforting words to her son.)
Key difference: Cochichar implies secrecy; sussurrar is neutral.
“dar uma volta”
(common use meaning)
Meaning “to go for a walk, drive, or spin”.
: Vamos dar uma volta à beira-mar. (Let’s go for a walk along the seafront.)
“é assim mesmo”
Meaning “That’s how it’s done!” or “Exactly like that!”.
: Quando fazes isso bem, é assim mesmo! (When you do it well, that’s exactly how it’s done!)
à frente de
vs
diante de
À frente de = “In front of” (neutral, physical position).
Example: Estou à frente do supermercado. (I’m in front of the supermarket.)
Diante de = “In front of” (formal/figurative, facing or confronting).
Example: Diante da multidão, ele ficou nervoso. (In front of the crowd, he got nervous.)
Key difference: À frente de = spatial; diante de = formal/figurative.
para dentro de
vs
dentro de
para dentro de: Meaning “into”. - Ele entrou para dentro do quarto. (He went into the room.)
“Dentro de” means “inside” but doesn’t indicate movement.
• Example: O livro está dentro da mochila. (The book is inside the backpack.)
à volta de
vs
por volta de
À volta de: Meaning physically “around”. Example: Os carros estavam estacionados à volta da praça. (The cars were parked around the square.)
Por volta de: Meaning “around/approximately”. Example: Cheguei por volta das três. (I arrived around three.)
para fora de
vs
fora de
para fora de: Out of” (movement out of a space)
•
Commonly confused with:
Fora de: Means “outside of” but doesn’t imply movement.
Example: O carro está fora da garagem. (The car is outside the garage.) vs. Ele saiu para fora da garagem. (He went out of the garage.)
just “De”: Less precise and doesn’t emphasize movement. Example: Ele saiu de casa. (He left the house.) vs. Ele saiu para fora de casa. (He went out of the house.)
“em direção a”
(and vs using “para”)
Em direção a = “Towards” (movement to a goal/destination)
Commonly confused with:
Para: More general, doesn’t emphasize direction.
Example: Estou a caminhar para o rio. (I’m walking to the river.) vs. Estou a caminhar em direção ao rio. (I’m walking towards the river.)
além de & além do
(and when to use each)
Além de = “Besides” or “In addition to” (used before verbs or general concepts).
Example: Além de trabalhar, ele estuda à noite. (Besides working, he studies at night.)
Além do/da = “Beyond” or “In addition to” (used before specific nouns).
Example: Além do rio, há uma floresta. (Beyond the river, there’s a forest.)
Key difference: Além de for verbs/concepts; Além do/da for specific nouns.
(nem) sequer
(vs “até”)
“Sequer” and “até” both emphasize something, but they’re used differently:
- “Sequer” means “even” in negative or doubtful contexts. It’s about highlighting how something didn’t happen at all.
• Example: Ele nem sequer olhou para mim. (He didn’t even look at me.)
• Think of it as emphasizing the bare minimum that didn’t happen. - “Até” is more flexible and can mean “even” in general (positive, neutral, or negative contexts).
• Example: Até a Michelle saiu. (Even Michelle left.)
• Here, you’re emphasizing surprise or adding to a list.
Key Difference:
• Use “sequer” for negative emphasis or to express that something didn’t happen at all.
• Use “até” to emphasize inclusion or surprise, even in positive contexts.
doido/a
(3 common meanings)
Crazy/insane (very common, literal or figurative):
“Ele ficou doido com a notícia.” (He went crazy with the news.)
Obsessed/passionate (common, often with “por”):
“Estou doido por chocolate.” (I’m crazy about chocolate.)
Reckless/unreasonable (fairly common in conversational settings):
“Estás doido?!” (Are you insane?!)
solto/soltos (adj)
(4 common meanings)
- Loose/unrestrained (very common):
“Os cães estão soltos.” (“The dogs are loose.”
- this is also “off-leash” - Relaxed/casual (fairly common):
“O estilo é solto.” (The style is relaxed.) - Untied/unfastened (common in everyday use):
“Os sapatos estão soltos.” (The shoes are untied.) - Flowing/free-moving (fairly common, e.g., hair, ideas):
“Ela usa cabelo solto.” (She wears loose hair.)
soltar (v)
(4 meanings)
- To let go/release (very common):
• “Solta o balão.” (Let go of the balloon.) - To set free/unleash (frequent):
• “Não soltes o cão.” (Don’t unleash the dog.) - To loosen/unfasten (fairly common):
• “Soltou o cinto.” (He loosened his belt.) - To express/release emotions/sounds (frequent):
• “Soltou uma gargalhada.” (She let out a laugh.)
Summary:
Versatile and common, used for releasing things literally or metaphorically.
“aquele que”
common word pair in Portuguese and can be translated as “the one who/that” or “that one which.”
Note: “Aqueleque” agrees in gender and number (aqueles/as)
Common Uses of “aquele que”:
- Referring to a person:
“Ele é aquele que te ajudou.” (He’s the one who helped you.) - Referring to a thing:
“Quero aquele que está na prateleira.” (I want the one that’s on the shelf.) - Expressing a concept (more formal or literary):
“Aquele que busca conhecimento nunca para de aprender.” (The one who seeks knowledge never stops learning.)
tropeçar
(vs esbarrar)
- Tropeçar (tropecei): to trip (over)
• Usually involves losing balance because you hit something with your foot.
• Example: “Tropecei num degrau e caí.” (I tripped on a step and fell.) - Esbarrar: to bump into
• More about accidentally colliding with something or someone (with your body).
• Example: “Esbarrei na cadeira e derrubei-a.” (I bumped into the chair and knocked it over.)
“foi sem querer”
(common use/uses)
It means “it was by accident” or “it wasn’t intentional.” You could technically use other conjugations like “fomos sem querer” (we did it by accident), but “foi sem querer” is the most common form because it refers to a general or undefined subject (like “it” or “that”).
Quizlet for “foi sem querer”:
1. Foi sem querer = It was unintentional / by accident.
• Example: “O copo caiu, foi sem querer.” (The glass fell; it was by accident.)
- Fomos sem querer = We didn’t mean to.
• Example: “Fomos sem querer parar naquela rua.” (We ended up on that street by accident.) - Foi tudo sem querer = It was all unintentional.
• Example: “Juro, foi tudo sem querer.” (I swear, it was all by accident.) - Disse sem querer = I said it without meaning to.
• Example: “Desculpa, disse isso sem querer.” (Sorry, I said that unintentionally.) - Partiu-se sem querer = It broke by accident.
• Example: “O prato partiu-se sem querer.” (The plate broke by accident.)
pegajoso/a
sticky
autocarro vs comboio
bus vs train
“a partir de”
“starting from” or from (used to indicate a starting point in time or place)
(A partir de amanhã, vou acordar mais cedo. (Starting tomorrow, I’ll wake up earlier.)
reclamar
to complain (more casual and common than queixar-se)
Example 1: Ele está sempre a reclamar de tudo. (He’s always complaining about everything.)
Example 2: Reclamaram sobre o serviço do restaurante. (They complained about the restaurant’s service.)
Note: Use reclamar in informal or everyday situations. Reserve queixar-se for more formal or serious complaints.
“já não há”
“there’s no more; there’s no longer”
Já não há leite. (There’s no more milk.)
Já não há nada a fazer. (There’s nothing to be done now.)
Clarification: Always implies the absence of something that previously existed. Often used in resigned or matter-of-fact statements.
“cá em casa” vs “em casa”
Cá em casa vs. Em casa
Cá em casa = At our place (adds a sense of location tied to the speaker, making it more personal).
Example: “Cá em casa todos gostamos de vinho verde.” (At our place, we all like vinho verde.)
Em casa = At home (neutral; doesn’t specify whose home it is).
Example: “Está em casa a descansar.” (He’s at home resting.)
How “cá” transforms the meaning: without “cá”, “em casa” is broader and simply describes the concept of being at home, without implying it’s the speaker’s home.
retribuir
to reciprocate, repay (used for returning a favor or showing gratitude).
Example 1: Quero retribuir o favor que fizeste. (I want to return the favor you did.)
Example 2: Obrigado, quero retribuir ajudando-te com isto. (Thank you, I want to repay you by helping with this.)
Note: Often conveys gratitude or a sense of fairness by returning something of equal value.
compensar
to make up for, compensate, or be worth it
Example 1: Vou compensar-te por ter chegado tarde. (I’ll make it up to you for being late.)
Example 2: A vista no topo da montanha compensa o esforço. (The view at the top of the mountain is worth the effort.)
Note: Versatile and used in both casual and formal contexts.
“estar a caminho”
meaning “to be on the way” - A fixed expression used for people or things in transit.
“Estou a caminho de casa.” (I’m on my way home.)
“Já saí, estou a caminho!” (I already left, I’m on my way!)
“Desculpe, sabe se o meu café está a caminho?” (Excuse me, do you know if my coffee is on the way?)
“dá para + (infinitive verb)”
meaning “Is it possible to…?” / “Can I…?”) A very common, colloquial way to ask if something can be done.
Examples:
“Dá para pagar com MB Way?” (Can I pay with MB Way?)
“Dá para abrir a janela?” (Can you open the window?)
Clarifying “you” (singular/plural): “Dá para tu pagares com MB Way?” (Can you pay with MB Way? - or vocês pagarem)
Clarifying “they” or other subjects: Referring to “them”: “Dá para eles pagarem com MB Way?” (Can they pay with MB Way?)
- Referring to “him”: “Dá para ele vir amanhã?” (Can he come tomorrow?)
“há que”
(idiomatic use)
leans Formal, Meaning “It Is Necessary To”
➡ Stronger than “precisar de” or “é preciso” - often used in news, advice, or warnings.
➡ Sounds official, impersonal, and serious.
✅ Há que ter paciência nestas situações. (It’s necessary to be patient in these situations.) - General statement.
✅ Há que resolver isto rapidamente. (This must be resolved quickly.) - Sounds urgent and official.
➡ Alternative in Speech?
Instead of “há que ter paciência”, most people just say “tens de ter paciência” (You have to be patient), which is softer and more personal.
“Apesar de” + Infinitive
vs.
“Apesar de que” + Subjunctive
despite/even though → provides contrast. note that “mesmo que” is more common than “apesar de que”
• Apesar de estar cansado, trabalhei até tarde. (Despite being tired, I worked late.)
• Apesar de que esteja cansado, vai sair. (Even though he’s tired, he’s going out.) - takes on a formal meaning like “despite…
“como tu és”
“Como tu és” (How You Are, Knowing You)
➡ A more natural way to express expectations based on someone’s personality.
✅ Como tu és teimoso, já sabia que não ias mudar de ideia. (Knowing how stubborn you are, I already knew you wouldn’t change your mind.)
✅ Como ele é distraído, claro que perdeu as chaves. (Since he’s so forgetful, of course he lost his keys.)
Key Rule:
• Use “como tu és” for traits that define a person (e.g., stubborn, generous, lazy).
• DON’T use it for temporary states (e.g., tired, sick, hungry).
“desculpe lá” (vs desculpe)
“Desculpe lá” is a more casual and colloquial way of saying “Desculpe” (Sorry/Excuse me).
Adding “lá” makes it sound more natural and slightly apologetic, like a soft, informal sorry. Very common in everyday Portuguese.
✅ “Desculpe lá, mas estou com pressa.” (“Sorry about that, but I’m in a hurry.”)
✅ “Desculpe lá o incómodo.” (“Sorry for the inconvenience.”)
“faltar” vs “demorar”
(other meaning of faltar, not “to miss” an event etc)
In Portuguese, “faltar” isn’t just about “missing” something—it also expresses how much time, distance, or quantity remains before something happens or finishes.
How “falta” = a wait
• “Falta muito?” → “Is there much left?” / “Is there still a long wait?”
• “Ainda falta muito?” → “Is there still a long way to go?” / “Is it going to take much longer?”
• “Falta muito para acabar?” → “Is there much left before it’s done?”
Why use “faltar” instead of “demorar”?
• “Demorar” focuses on the duration (how long something takes).
• “Faltar” focuses on the remaining time or distance (how much is left).
✅ “Ainda demora muito?” → Asking how long it will still take.
✅ “Ainda falta muito?” → Asking how much time is left.
They can often be used interchangeably, but “faltar” is more natural in casual speech when asking about what’s left in a process (like waiting in line).
“meio”
(other meaning, not “half”)
“Meio” Meaning “Kind of / A Bit” (Not “Half”)
In casual Portuguese, “meio” can mean “kind of” / “a bit” / “somewhat”, instead of just “half”.
- Describing a state or situation:
✅ “Estou meio cansado.” → “I’m kind of tired.”
✅ “O tempo está meio estranho hoje.” → “The weather is a bit weird today.”
✅ “Ela ficou meio chateada.” → “She got kind of upset.”
- With “tudo” (everything) or “isto” (this) to describe general situations:
✅ “Está tudo meio parado hoje.” → “Everything is kind of slow today.”
✅ “Isto ficou meio confuso.” → “This got kind of confusing.”
✅ “O comboio está meio atrasado.” → “The train is kind of late.”
Key Rule:
• “Meio” + adjective/adverb = “kind of” / “a bit”
• Never use “meio” to modify a noun (In that case, “meia” or “metade” is used instead.)
never pluralize, always meio
afundar
to sink, to go under
(physical and metaphorical)
tanto quanto
vs
tanto como
Tanto como - More common in spoken Portuguese, meaning “as much as” or “as…as”.
• Example: ‘Ele trabalha tanto como o irmão.’ (He works as much as his brother.)
Tanto quanto - Slightly more formal/literary version of “as much as”.
• Example: ‘Ele trabalha tanto quanto o irmão.’ (He works as much as his brother.)
“estar atento a”
to be attentive to, pay attention to
Example: ‘Tens de estar atento aos detalhes.’ (You have to pay attention to the details.)
reclamar
(vs queixar-se)
Reclamar - to complain (casual, daily use)
Example: ‘Ele está sempre a reclamar do tempo.’ (He’s always complaining about the weather.)
Queixar-se - to formally file a complaint
• Example: ‘Ela queixou-se ao gerente do restaurante.’ (She complained to the restaurant manager.)
recado
vs
mensagem
(and other meaning for “recado”)
1/ Recado - short, informal message (often verbal)
Example: ‘Deixa um recado para a minha mãe, por favor.’ (Leave a message for my mother, please.)
Mensagem - general message (texts, emails, etc.)
Example: ‘Mandei-te uma mensagem no WhatsApp.’ (I sent you a message on WhatsApp.)
2/ “an errand” (noun, common)
• “Podes fazer-me um recado?” (Can you run an errand for me?)
talão
vs
recibo
Talão - common word for receipt (for purchases)
• Example: ‘Guarde o talão para trocas.’ (Keep the receipt for exchanges.)
Recibo - formal invoice-style receipt
• Example: ‘Preciso de um recibo para a empresa.’ (I need an invoice for the company.)
aprofundar (em)
To deepen (literally or figuratively)
“Precisamos aprofundar este buraco.” (We need to deepen this hole.)
(figuratively: To explore/study in depth, “Quero aprofundar os meus conhecimentos em português.” (I want to deepen my knowledge of Portuguese.)
With Reflexive (“aprofundar-se em algo”)
• Used when someone is immersing themselves in a topic, study, or experience. • Focuses more on the subject’s involvement rather than an external thing.
✅ “Ele aprofundou-se em filosofia.”
(He delved into philosophy.)
safar & safar-se
safar: to save, to get someone out of trouble
Ela safou-me de uma grande chatice. (She got me out of a big mess.)
safar-se = to manage, to get by, to escape a situation
• Não falo bem, mas safo-me. (I don’t speak well, but I get by.)
rugir
To roar (used for lions, crowds, engines, etc.).
• “O leão rugiu alto.” (The lion roared loudly.) • “O estádio rugiu quando marcaram o golo.” (The stadium roared when they scored the goal.)
estragar
(estragar-se)
(“estragar tudo”)
✅ Very common, meaning “to ruin, spoil, damage, or mess up.” (including spoiling people)
1️⃣ Physically damage/break → “Cuidado, vais estragar o telemóvel!” (Careful, you’ll break your phone!)
2️⃣ Food going bad → “O leite estragou-se.” (The milk went bad.)
3️⃣ Mess up/ruin a mood, situation, or event → “A chuva estragou o piquenique.” (The rain ruined the picnic.)
4️⃣ Spoil (a person) → “Os avós estragam os netos com mimos.” (Grandparents spoil their grandkids with affection.)
5️⃣ To break down (mechanical issues) → “O carro estragou-se.” (The car broke down.)
🔥 Variations:
Estragar-se → To get ruined (“O bolo estragou-se.” – The cake got ruined.)
Estragar tudo → To screw everything up (“Ele estragou tudo!” – He messed everything up!)
calado (adj)
silent, quiet
Used for: Someone who is quiet, not speaking, or keeping things to themselves. Unlike silencioso, which describes a place or thing (e.g., “um carro silencioso” – a silent car), calado is for people.
🔹 “Ele ficou calado o tempo todo.” (He stayed quiet the whole time.)
recado (vs) mensagem
Recado → A short verbal or written message, often relayed through someone. More old-school but still used when referring to passing on messages.
Mensagem → A general term for messages, especially digital ones (WhatsApp, SMS, email).
💬 “Deixei um recado para ti.” (I left you a message.)
📱 “Mandei-te uma mensagem no WhatsApp.” (I sent you a message on WhatsApp.)
talão (vs) recibo
Talão → A small receipt stub, often detachable (e.g., talão do multibanco). Used for proof of purchase but not always valid for returns.
Recibo → A full receipt, usually official proof of payment (important for returns or refunds).
🛒 “Queres o talão ou posso deitar fora?” (Do you want the receipt stub, or can I throw it away?)
💼 “Guardei o recibo para o reembolso.” (I kept the receipt for reimbursement.)
verificar (vs) averiguar
Verificar → To check or confirm something (common in speech). Used for simple checks like confirming an address or verifying a payment.
Averiguar → To investigate something deeper (less common in everyday conversation, more formal). Used in legal, journalistic, or technical contexts.
✅ “Verifica se a porta está fechada.” (Check if the door is closed.)
🕵️ “A polícia está a averiguar o caso.” (The police are investigating the case.)
quiemar (vs) arder
Queimar → To burn something physically (fire, food, skin, etc.).
Queimado → Burnt (“O pão está queimado.” – The bread is burnt.)
Arder → To burn as a sensation (stinging, irritation, or metaphorical).
Ardente → Burning, fiery (“Uma paixão ardente.” – A burning passion.)
🍳 “Queimei o jantar.” (I burned dinner.)
👀 “Os olhos estão a arder por causa do fumo.” (My eyes are burning from the smoke.)
proveitoso/a (vs) útil
Proveitoso → Beneficial, giving an advantage or gain (often used for experiences or situations).
Útil → Practical, functional, helpful in a direct way (for objects, advice, etc.).
📚 “O curso foi muito proveitoso.” (The course was very beneficial.)
🔧 “Este canivete é muito útil.” (This pocketknife is very useful.)
raiz (n, f)
“root” - Used literally & figuratively.
Literal: Describes plant roots or deep-set structures.
Figurative: Refers to causes, origins, or deep-seated beliefs.
🌳 “As raízes desta árvore são profundas.” (The roots of this tree are deep.)
📖 “O racismo tem raízes históricas.” (Racism has historical roots.)
subjacente (adj)
Meaning: Something underlying, fundamental, or hidden beneath the surface (used in formal contexts).
📖 Example:
“O problema subjacente ao fracasso da empresa era a má gestão.”
(The underlying problem behind the company’s failure was poor management.)
🔹 Common Synonyms in PT:
Latente → Hidden but present (“um conflito latente” – a latent conflict)
Implícito → Implied, unstated (“um significado implícito” – an implicit meaning)
Profundo → Deep, fundamental (“um problema profundo” – a deep issue)
Fundamental → Core, essential (“uma causa fundamental” – a fundamental cause)
Intrínseco → Inherent, built-in (“um risco intrínseco” – an intrinsic risk)
Oculto → Hidden (“motivos ocultos” – hidden motives)
chamuscado/a (adj)
Primary meaning: Slightly burnt, singed, or scorched. Used for things that have been lightly damaged by fire or heat.
🔹 Other Uses:
1️⃣ Figurative: Damaged but not destroyed → “Saiu do escândalo chamuscado.” (He came out of the scandal a little scorched.) – meaning his reputation took a hit but wasn’t completely ruined.
2️⃣ Sunburned: In some contexts, “chamuscado pelo sol” can mean slightly sunburned (not as bad as queimado).
3️⃣ Tired/Worn-out appearance: Someone who looks exhausted, stressed, or drained can be described as “com um ar chamuscado.”
📖 Examples:
🔥 “A madeira ficou chamuscada pelo fogo.” (The wood was singed by the fire.)
📰 “O político saiu chamuscado do debate.” (The politician came out of the debate with his image slightly burned.)
abrasador
Primary meaning: Scorching, burning hot (used for extreme heat, sun, or fire).
🔹 Other Uses:
1️⃣ Figurative: Intense, overwhelming, or extreme → Often used for emotions like passion, hatred, or desire.
“Um desejo abrasador.” (A burning desire.)
“Um ódio abrasador.” (A scorching hatred.)
2️⃣ Weather: Extremely hot weather (calor abrasador – scorching heat).
☀️ “O calor abrasador não dava tréguas.” (The scorching heat was relentless.)
3️⃣ Pain: A very intense, burning pain (dor abrasadora – searing pain).
afinal (adverb)
(common meanings/uses)
1️⃣ Change or Clarification (“after all” / “as it turns out”)
✅ Íamos jantar fora, mas afinal vamos ficar por casa. (Turns out, we’re staying home.)
2️⃣ Surprise or Realization (“so it turns out”)
✅ Dizias que não gostavas de sushi, afinal adoras! (So you actually love it!)
3️⃣ Rhetorical “So, in the end”
✅ Mas afinal, quem é que tem razão? (So, in the end, who’s right?)
“dar por”
(colloquial)
Most Common → Noticing / Becoming Aware, To realize (unexpectedly or subtly). more emphatic and less common than “reparar” for “notice” in general use)
✅ “Nem dei por isso!” (I didn’t even notice!) → Super common in everyday speech.:
• “Não dei por o tempo passar.” (I didn’t notice time passing.)
• “Só dei por ele depois de falar.” (I only noticed him after he spoke.)
also Common → Considering Something Done
✅ “Já dei este assunto por encerrado.” (I consider this matter closed.) → Used in work, formal conversations, or arguments.
“cair em cima de”
literally “to fall on top of”
✔ “Se essa pessoa cai em cima de ti, a tua perna pode partir-se.”
→ “If that person falls on top of you, your leg could break.”
✔ “Se essa pessoa te cai em cima, a tua perna pode partir-se.” (More natural in spoken Portuguese)
→ “If that person falls on you, your leg could break.”
The second version is more fluid in natural speech because “te cai em cima” keeps the object pronoun (te) before the verb, which is common in spoken Portuguese.
“pôr-te a par”
(vs “pôr-te em dia”)
1️⃣ Pôr-te a par → To inform or update someone about an ongoing or upcoming situation.
Used when: Giving current or future updates, keeping someone in the loop.
Examples: “Vou pôr-te a par do projeto amanhã.” (I’ll update you on the project tomorrow.)
2️⃣ Pôr-te em dia → To catch up someone on past events or missed information.
Used when: Someone missed something and needs to be brought up to speed.
Examples: “Estiveste de férias? Tenho de pôr-te em dia sobre tudo o que aconteceu.” (You were on vacation? I need to catch you up on everything that happened.
enganar
vs
enganar-se
1️⃣ enganar, non-reflexive: To deceive, trick, fool
• “Ele enganou-me.” (He tricked me.)
• “Não tentes enganar a polícia.” (Don’t try to fool the police.)
2️⃣ enganar-se, reflexive: To make a mistake / be mistaken (often reflexive: enganar-se)
• “Acho que me enganei no horário.” (I think I got the time wrong.)
• “Se calhar enganaste-te no endereço.” (Maybe you got the address wrong.)
📝 Key Difference:
• “Enganar” (without reflexive) → to trick or deceive
• “Enganar-se” (reflexive) → to make a mistake / be wrong
“epá”
(and up north: ó pá & eh pá)
(common uses)
“Epá” is a super common informal interjection in Portugal, kind of like “Oh man,” “Whoa,” “Jeez,” or “Damn” in English. It’s used to express surprise, frustration, annoyance, or even excitement, depending on the tone.
Examples & Meanings
1️⃣ Surprise or Shock (Whoa! / Oh wow!)
• “Epá, que grande carro!” (Whoa, what a big car!)
• “Epá, nem acredito!” (Oh man, I can’t believe it!)
2️⃣ Frustration or Annoyance (Damn it! / Ugh!)
• “Epá, outra vez chuva?” (Damn, rain again?)
• “Epá, cala-te um bocado!” (Jeez, shut up for a second!)
3️⃣ Realization or Regret (Oh shit…)
• “Epá, esqueci-me da carteira.” (Oh man, I forgot my wallet.)
• “Epá, enganei-me no número.” (Damn, I got the number wrong.)
4️⃣ Filler Word (Casual Speech)
• “Epá, não sei bem.” (Uh, I’m not really sure.)
• “Epá, acho que tens razão.” (Hmm, I think you’re right.)
How It’s Used in Portugal
✅ Very common in casual speech.
✅ Mostly informal, but not vulgar.
✅ Stronger than ‘ah’ but softer than swearing.
✅ Used by all ages, but younger people might say it more.
So next time you mess up, just say:
“Epá, fiz merda.” (Oh man, I screwed up.)
jamais
(vs nunca)
“Jamais” is a strong word meaning “never” or “ever” (depending on context). It’s a bit more emphatic and formal than “nunca”, but it pops up in certain expressions, especially in marketing, literature, or dramatic speech.
Common Uses of “Jamais”
1. Meaning “Never” (Emphatic “Nunca”)
• “Eu jamais faria isso!” → (I would never do that!)
• “Jamais me vou esquecer disto.” → (I will never forget this.)
• “Isso jamais aconteceu.” → (That never happened.)
• Stronger than nunca, almost like “not in a million years!”
2. Meaning “Ever” (Usually in Superlatives) • “O automóvel mais rápido jamais criado.” → (The fastest car ever created.) • Here, “jamais” reinforces the superlative—basically saying “of all time!” • This is a bit dramatic, often found in marketing, ads, or poetic speech. 3. In a Negative Phrase (Like “Never, Ever”) • “Nem em mil anos, jamais faria isso.” → (Not in a thousand years would I ever do that.) • When paired with “nem”, it adds a layer of impossibility.
- Legal, Historical, or Formal Speech
• “Jamais poderemos esquecer este dia.” → (We must never forget this day.)
• Used in speeches, books, or serious statements where nunca might feel too plain.
Key Takeaways
• “Jamais” = “Never ever” (more intense than nunca).
• “Jamais” = “Ever” in superlatives (like “greatest ever”).
• Common in ads, speeches, and dramatic statements—less frequent in casual conversation.
You’d rarely hear someone say “Jamais vou ao café.”, but you’ll see “o maior espetáculo jamais visto!” on posters.
“uma cena dessas”
“Uma cena dessas” is a fixed and very natural way to say “something like that” in informal Portuguese.
Other variations:
• “Uma coisa dessas” → Also works, but a bit more neutral.
• “Uma situação dessas” → More specific, when talking about events.
It’s super common in casual speech:
• “Nunca me tinha passado pela cabeça uma cena dessas.” (Something like that had never crossed my mind.)
• “Já viste bem? Uma cena dessas não se faz!” (Can you believe it? You don’t do something like that!)
It’s basically a slangy way to refer to “something of that kind/type.”
desanuviar (v)
Meaning: To clear your mind, relax, or take a break from stress.
• “Preciso de desanuviar um bocado.” (I need to take my mind off things.)
• “Fui dar uma volta para desanuviar.” (I went for a walk to unwind.)
• Common? Yes, widely used in everyday speech.
• If you mean clearing your mind or improving the mood, use desanuviar.
• If you mean loosening up, unwinding, or physically relaxing, use descontrair.
Alternative (more formal/literary):
🔹 Espairecer → Similar meaning but more refined.
• “Isto vai ajudar-te a espairecer.” (This will help you clear your head.)
Related Verb:
🔹 Arejar → To air out (literally) or refresh mentally.
• “Vou lá fora arejar a cabeça.” (I’m going outside to clear my head.)
derrubar (v)
(2 common meanings)
- Physically knocking something over → Very common and natural.
• “Cuidado, vais derrubar isso!” (Careful, you’re going to knock that over!)
• O vento derrubou a árvore. (The wind knocked down the tree.)
• Ele derrubou o copo sem querer. (He knocked over the glass by accident.) - Overthrowing or defeating someone → Common in political, historical, and sports contexts, but in casual speech, deitar abaixo (bring down) or mandar ao chão (throw to the ground) are also used.
• “O adversário derrubou-o logo no primeiro round.” (The opponent knocked him down in the first round.)
• “Eles querem deitar abaixo o governo.” (They want to bring down the government.)
alargar
Alargar means to widen, expand, or extend. It can be used literally (for space) or figuratively (for opportunities, time, influence, etc.).
“alargar” is pretty common in Portugal, but mostly in practical contexts like:
• Space/Size: “Temos de alargar a mesa.” (We need to make the table bigger.)
• Clothes: “Estas botas precisam de alargar um bocado.” (These boots need to stretch a bit.)
• Time: “Podemos alargar o prazo?” (Can we extend the deadline?)
For figurative stuff like expanding knowledge or broadening horizons, people might go for alternatives like “expandir” (more formal) or just rephrase it.
coçar (v)
vs
arranhar (v)
• Coçar → Scratching yourself or something with nails/fingers.
• “Tenho comichão, preciso de me coçar.” (I have an itch, I need to scratch myself.)
• “O cão está sempre a coçar-se.” (The dog is always scratching itself.)
• Arranhar → Scratching something hard/sharp (e.g., with nails, claws, or an object).
• “O gato arranhou-me todo.” (The cat scratched me all over.)
• “Cuidado, não arranhes o carro.” (Careful, don’t scratch the car.)
related but less common
• Raspar is about removing material (scraping, shaving, peeling).
• Riscar is about leaving a visible mark (scratching, etching, drawing a line).
aturar (v)
To put up with, tolerate, endure.
Examples:
✔ “Não aturo isto!” (I can’t stand this!)
✔ “Tenho de aturar o meu vizinho.” (I have to put up with my neighbor.)
✔ “Atura-me e não reclama!” (Put up with me and don’t complain!)
⚠ Never say “aturar com” – incorrect!
todos nós/vocês/eles (“n/v/e”)
alguns de n/v/e
n/v/e os dois, n/v/e as duas
um de n/v/e, uma de n/v/e
(most common group forms)
“All of us” / “All of them”
• Todos nós → All of us
• Todos vocês → All of you
• Todos eles/elas → All of them
“Some of us” / “Some of them”
• Alguns de nós → Some of us
• Alguns de vocês → Some of you
• Alguns deles/delas → Some of them
“Both of us” / “Both of them”
• Nós os dois / Nós as duas → The two of us (masc. / fem.)
• Vocês os dois / Vocês as duas → The two of you
• Eles os dois / Elas as duas → The two of them
“One of us” / “One of them”
• Um de nós / Uma de nós → One of us
• Um de vocês / Uma de vocês → One of you
• Um deles / Uma delas → One of them
“tens razão”
“estás enganado”
“não é bem assim”
(all colloquial common forms)
“you’re right” (vs “estás certo”)
“you’re wrong” (vs “estás errado”)
“that’s not quite right”
“animais de estimação”
(vs “bicho”)
the most common word for pets is “animais de estimação”.
However, in casual speech, people often just say “animais” if the context is clear.
Examples:
• “Tens animais de estimação?” (Do you have pets?)
• “Ela adora animais.” (She loves animals.) → Often used to mean pets without specifying.
bichos Some people might also say “bichos” informally, but it can refer to animals in general.
• If you’re talking about pets, people might say “Tens bichos?” instead of “Tens animais de estimação?”—but it’s more colloquial.
• If you’re talking about bugs or creepy crawlies, “bichos” can mean insects, worms, or even small pests.
• It can also mean animals in general, especially in a rural setting: “Os bichos da quinta” (The farm animals).
encaixar
vs
“dá para + noun”
Encaixar = To fit together, match, or align properly
Used when talking about pieces fitting, ideas making sense, or something matching - also social or conceptual “fitting in.” Can be physical or figurative.
✅ As peças do puzzle encaixam perfeitamente. (The puzzle pieces fit perfectly.)
✅ Este horário não encaixa no meu plano. (This schedule doesn’t fit into my plan.)
✅ Ele não se encaixa bem no grupo. (He doesn’t fit in well with the group.)
✅ “Dá para + Noun” (Does it fit? Is there space?) →
“Dá para mais uma cadeira? → Is there room for one more chair?” - this is the most natural for space or capacity, versus “mais uma cadeira encaixaria?”
enquanto
vs
à medida que
Enquanto vs. À medida que
Enquanto → Two things happen at the same time.
• “Enquanto cozinhava, ela via TV.” (While I cooked, she watched TV.)
À medida que → Gradual change over time.
• “À medida que o tempo passava, ele ficava nervoso.” (As time passed, he got nervous.)
Key Difference
• Use “enquanto” if two actions are happening at the same time.
• Use “à medida que” if one action gradually progresses alongside another.
“ficar chocado”
General way to say “I was shocked.”
• “Fiquei chocado com a notícia.” (I was shocked by the news.)
“Ficar boquiaberto” → More about being stunned, speechless.
“Fiquei boquiaberto com o que vi.” (I was stunned by what I saw.)
“Ficar em choque” → Stronger, almost like a state of shock.
• “Fiquei em choque quando soube.” (I was in shock when I found out.)
arrepiar-se
- To give goosebumps (cold, fear, emotion) – Reflexive (arrepiar-se)
• “Com este frio, arrepiei-me todo.” (With this cold, I got goosebumps all over.)
• “O filme fez-me arrepiar.” (The movie gave me chills.) - To bristle / stand on end (hair, fur) – Reflexive (arrepiar-se)
• “O pelo do gato arrepiou-se.” (The cat’s fur stood on end.)
pasmar & pasmar-se
(reflexive vs non)
- To be astonished / dumbfounded – Reflexive (pasmar-se)
• “Pasmei-me com o preço disto!” (I was astonished by the price of this!)
• “Ao ver o acidente, pasmei-me.” (When I saw the accident, I was stunned.) - To amaze someone – Transitive (non-reflexive)
• “O truque de magia pasmou toda a gente.” (The magic trick amazed everyone.)
Reflexive vs. Non-Reflexive:
• Reflexive (pasmar-se) → The subject is amazed or shocked.
• Non-reflexive (pasmar alguém) → Something or someone amazes another person.
Common Expressions:
“Ficar pasmado” → The most natural way to say “to be amazed/stunned.”
• “Fiquei pasmado com aquilo!” (I was blown away by that!)
“Olhar pasmado” → To stare in astonishment or confusion.
• “Ele ficou a olhar pasmado para mim.” (He just stared at me, dumbfounded.)
aprendizagem
Aprendizagem means “learning” or “the process of acquiring knowledge/skills.”
Common uses:
1. General learning – “A aprendizagem de línguas pode ser difícil.” (Language learning can be difficult.)
2. Skill development – “A aprendizagem da condução demora tempo.” (Learning to drive takes time.)
3. Education/Training – “O sistema de aprendizagem nas escolas está a mudar.” (The learning system in schools is changing.)
4. Workplace training (less common) – “Fez uma aprendizagem na empresa antes de começar a trabalhar.” (He did on-the-job training at the company before starting to work.)
Synonyms / Alternatives:
• Estudo → More about studying (“O estudo da gramática é importante.” – Studying grammar is important.)
• Formação → More about formal training (“Fez uma formação em contabilidade.” – He did training in accounting.)
“ficar com”
(when to use “com” for certain meanings of “ficar”)
“ficar com” is a common Portuguese verb structure meaning “to keep,” “to take,” or “to get” something.
Why use “com”?
• “Ficar com” = to take possession of / keep something.
(alone it just means to become, to stay etc)
Examples of “Ficar com” in Use
✅ “Podes ficar com isto.” → “You can keep this.”
✅ “Ele ficou com o troco.” → “He kept the change.”
✅ “Vou ficar com o carro do meu irmão.” → “I’m taking my brother’s car.”
“cada um”
(fixed expression)
“Cada um” means “each one” or “each person” and emphasizes individuality within a group rather than the group as a whole.
Common Uses of “Cada um”
1. Individual responsibility or choice:
• Cada um faz o que quiser. → Everyone does whatever they want.
• Cada um tem as suas prioridades. → Everyone has their own priorities.
2. Instructions for individuals:
• Cada um traz a sua bebida. → Everyone brings their own drink.
“cada um” is always masculine, even if referring to women.
However, if you specify a feminine noun, you use “cada uma”:
• Cada uma das alunas recebeu um prémio. → Each (female) student got a prize.
• Cada uma das cadeiras tem um número. → Each chair has a number.
sediada/o
(participle, vs “baseado/a”)
“based in”
eg for “a startup based in Portugal”, the most natural option is “uma startup sediada em Portugal.”
• Sediada → More formal, commonly used for companies’ official locations.
• Baseada → Less common for physical location, more for ideas/models (baseada num conceito).
ponto cego
- “Ponto cego” → “blind spot” Literal translation, also used metaphorically
• “Tens um ponto cego nisso.” (You have a blind spot in that.)
• “Há pontos cegos no nosso plano.” (There are blind spots in our plan.) - “Lacuna” → More formal, means a gap or missing piece
• “Ainda tenho algumas lacunas neste tema.” (I still have some blind spots/gaps in this topic.) - “Falha de perceção” → More precise, means a failure in perception
• “Pode ser uma falha de perceção tua.” (It could be a blind spot of yours.)
foleiro/a (adj)
The most direct equivalent of “corny” or “cheesy.” Used for things that are tacky, lame, or trying too hard. (“Aquela música é tão foleira!” – That song is so cheesy!)
Piroso – Similar to foleiro, but often used for fashion, decorations, or aesthetics that are outdated or overly sentimental. (“Esses corações no convite são pirosos.” – Those hearts on the invitation are tacky.)
lamechas If you mean “corny” in the sense of overly sentimental or sappy. (“O filme era tão lamechas que quase vomitei.” – The movie was so sappy I almost puked.)
“Quando dás por ela”
vs.
“Sem dares por isso”
“Quando dás por ela” → You suddenly realize something (more common in everyday speech)
• Literal: “When you notice it”
• Natural: “Before you know it” / “Suddenly you realize”
• Example: “Estás a ver vídeos e quando dás por ela, já são 3 da manhã.” (You’re watching videos, and before you know it, it’s 3 AM.)
“Sem dares por isso” → Something happens gradually, unnoticed
• Literal: “Without realizing it”
• Natural: “Before you know it” / “Without noticing”
• Example: “O tempo foi passando, e sem dares por isso, deixaste de falar com ela.” (Time passed, and before you knew it, you stopped talking to her.)
Key Difference:
• “Quando dás por ela” → Sudden realization (You’re aware when it happens).
• “Sem dares por isso” → It sneaks up on you (You only notice after the fact).
“quem me dera”
“Quem me dera” – Wishing for Something Unlikely (Very Common)
• Used when something is difficult, unrealistic, or out of your control.
• Feels more emotional or dramatic than espero.
• Always followed by infinitive or subjunctive.
✅ “Quem me dera ganhar o Euromilhões!” (I wish I’d win the lottery!)
✅ “Quem me dera estar de férias!” (I wish I were on vacation!)
✅ “Quem me dera que isto fosse mais fácil!” (I wish this were easier!)
⚠️ You wouldn’t say “Espero ganhar o Euromilhões” because it’s unrealistic.
