The verb Dar is incredibly versatile because it is used in numerous colloquial expressions in Brazilian Portuguese. In this lesson I will show you a very useful and commonly used expression with the verb Dar.
Dar is an irregular verb. By itself it means “to give”.
I very much encourage you to learn the conjugation of Dar. As I said, it is used in a great number of expressions.
Colloquial expression: Dar para…
The expression “Dar para” can be translated as “to be possible to…”.
In questions, it can also be translated as: “Can you…?”
And in answers, it can be translated as: “Yes, I can”. Or, in the negative: “I can’t.”
The real-life examples below will show you how to use this expression.
1)
A very common way to ask for a favor is to say:
Dá pra fazer um favor?
= Is it possible to do me a favor? / Can you do me a favor?
3 Tips:
- Notice that the verb is conjugated in the present tense of the third person singular (ele). In this kind of question, it will always be like this.
- Do not use a pronoun (eu, você, ele, etc.) before the verb Dar.
- “Pra” is short for “para”. In spoken Brazilian Portuguese we usually say “pra”. We also use it in informal writing, such as on Facebook. For business and academic correspondence, I suggest you stick with “para”.
2)
É longe? Dá pra ir a pé?
= Is it far away? Is it possible to walk there? /Can I walk there?
3)
Dá pra me pegar no aeroporto?
= Is it possible to pick me up at the airport? / Can you pick me up at the airport.
4)
João: Dá pra me dar o orçamento na quarta?
Túlio: Na quarta, não dá. Dá pra entregar na sexta.
Translation:
João: Is it possible to give me the quote on Wednesday?
Túlio: On Wednesday it isn’t possible. I can give it to you on Friday.
5)
Milena: Vamos passar o fim de semana fora?
Caio: Nesse fim de semana não vai dar. Podemos ir no outro.
Translation:
Milena: Let’s spend the weekend away.
Caio: This weekend it will not be possible. We can go on the other one.
6)
Cris: Você comprou pão?
Ana: Não deu pra parar na padaria. Desculpe.
Translation:
Cris: Did you buy bread?
Ana: I could’t stop at the bakery. Sorry.
Dá / Não dá
Sometimes the expression is used without the preposition “para”. This happens in short questions or answers, when the verb Dar is not followed by the action in reference:
7)
Tomás: Por que você foi não foi ao aniversário da Sônia?
Melissa: Não deu.
Translation:
Tomás: Why didn’t you go to Sônia’s birthday?
Melissa: It was’t possible.
8)
Maria: Dá pra me ajudar a terminar esse relatório?
André: Dá, claro.
Translation:
Maria: Can you help me finish this report?
André: Yes, sure.
I also have a different lesson with another great expression using the verb Dar. It is about the phrase “Mal dá pra…”. It is very useful. Visit the lesson to keep learning.
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Procurando uma palavra em inglês achei seu site, tem muita gente querendo aprender português? Abraços.
Is this phrase correct? A janela dá pra na rua. The window faces the street?
Is there is there any way to know the difference from can versus faces or do you have to just learn by context.
One reason why I find Portuguese so confusing fewer words then English but Portuguese words have different meanings depending on the context: dar, ficar, mesmo, fazer, etc.
Oi, Michael, the correct sentence would be: A janela dá pra rua. In other words, you would not use the preposition “na”. Yes, often times it is the context that you will tell what a word means. It gets clear with practice.
The best site ever. It’s probably helped me the most in learning portuguese. I love the fact that you put a lot of colloquial phrases here, because they sure didnt teach us that in the portuguese classes at my college.
Muito obrigada, Sara 🙂
Gostei. Bem explicadinho.
Obrigada 🙂