Dar is an irregular verb. In fact, it is very irregular, and its conjugation is quite challenging. It is also a very important verb to learn because we use it in no many idiomatic expressions.

In this lesson you will learn 3 common and useful Brazilian Portuguese expressions with the verb Dar.

To practice the conjugation of Dar, get my flashcard app for Android. Set 3 of the flashcards helps you practice the present and past tenses of two important irregular verbs: Dar and Fazer. Get the app here.

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3 Useful Expressions with the Verb Dar

1. Dar certo

Dar certo means to work out, as in the examples below:

Example 1:

Sílvia: Tenho uma reunião na sexta com um cliente muito exigente.

Paulo: Você precisa se preparar bem. Improvisar nunca dá certo.

Translation:

Sílvia: I have a meeting on Friday with a very demanding client.

Paulo: You need to prepare well. Improvising never works out.

 

Example 2:

Paulo: E aí, como foi a reunião ontem? Deu tudo certo?

Sílvia: Deu certo, sim. Fechei o negócio.

Translation:

Paulo: So, how was the meeting yesterday? Did everything work out?

Sílvia: Yes, it worked out fine. I closed the deal.

 

Example 3:

Paulo: Amanhã começo no novo trabalho. Estou meio nervoso.

Sílvia: Vai dar tudo certo.

Translation:

Paulo: Tomorrow I start at the new job. I’m kind of nervous.

Sílvia: Everything will work out fine.

 

2. Dar pra trás

Dar pra trás means to chicken out; to change one’s mind and quit on what they were going to do.

Example:

Carla: Quando vocês viajam?

Maria: Não vamos mais viajar. João deu pra trás na última hora.

Carla: Que pena. Sinto muito.

Maria: É sempre assim. A gente combina tudo, e no fim João dá pra trás.

Translation:

Carla: When do you guys travel?

Maria: We are not going to travel anymore. João changed his mind and quit at the last minute.

Carla: What a shame. I’m sorry.

Maria: It’s always the same. We plan everything, and at the end João chickens out.

 

3. Dar uma mão/Dar uma mãozinha

Dar uma mão means to give a hand, to lend a hand.

Example 1:

Marta: Essa caixa é muito pesada para eu carregar. Você pode me dar uma mão?

Translation:

Marta: This box is too heavy for me to carry. Can you give me a hand?

 

Example 2:

Luciana: Eu estava sem ideias para escrever este exemplo. Por sorte, Carl me deu uma mãozinha.

Translation:

Luciana: I was out of ideas to write this example. Luckily Carl gave me a hand.

 

Idiomatic expressions are important for good communication. Get my book to learn 51 Brazilian Portuguese expressions and impress your friends! Available on Kindle and paperback.