Say you and a friend are talking about Brazilian music. Your friend mentions Vanessa da Mata, and you want to say that you like Marisa Monte even more. How do you express that? You do it with the word ainda in Portuguese.
Ainda is one of those small but powerful words that can make your speech sound more natural and expressive. It’s often overlooked, but it shows up all the time in real-life conversations.
In this Portuguese lesson, you’ll learn how to use ainda in Portuguese to say things like even more, even less, even better, and – totally different – not yet. I’ll teach you through clear, real-life examples.
Even if grammar isn’t your favorite thing, this lesson will be easy to follow. Just observe the examples and the natural English translations.
Use Ainda in Portuguese To Say “Even More”
We use ainda mais before an adjective or adverb to say even more, to add emphasis or comparison.
👉🏼 Not sure how to make comparisons in Portuguese? Learn all about comparisons here.
Example 1
Carla: Vanessa da Mata tem uma voz linda.
Paula: A voz da Marisa Monte é ainda mais bonita.
Translation:
Carla: Vanessa da Mata has a beautiful voice.
Paula: Marisa Monte’s voice is even more beautiful.
Example 2
Rodrigo: Que restaurante caro!
Milena: Aquele do outro lado da rua é ainda mais caro.
Translation:
Rodrigo: What an expensive restaurant!
Milena: That one across the street is even more expensive.
Example 3
Helena: Estela fala demais.
Felipe: Francisco fala ainda mais.
Translation:
Helena: Estela talks too much.
Felipe: Francisco talks even more.
Use Ainda To Say “Even Less”
We use ainda menos to express even less of something: less intensity, quantity, or degree.
It’s the opposite of ainda mais, but works the same way.
Example 1
In a bookstore:
Helena: Já li esse livro. Não é muito bom
Felipe: Esse outro aqui é ainda menos interessante.
👉🏼 Learn how to use JÁ in Portuguese
Translation:
Helena: I’ve read this book. It’s not very good.
Felipe: This other one here is even less interesting.
Example 2
Cristina: Carla come muito pouco.
Priscila: Ana come ainda menos.
Translation:
Cristina: Carla eats very little.
Priscila: Ana eats even less.
How to Say Even Better, Even Worse, Even Bigger, and Even Smaller in Portuguese
Some comparisons in Portuguese don’t follow the mais or menos pattern. These are irregular, and they show up a lot in everyday speech: words like melhor, pior, maior, and menor. The good news? You can use ainda with these too!
👉🏼 Dive deeper into irregular comparisons: check out this lesson with lots of examples.
Example 1
Joana is recovering from the flu:
Joana: Estou melhor hoje.
Felipe: Fique mais um dia em casa e amanhã você vai se sentir ainda melhor.
Translation:
Joana: I’m feeling better today.
Felipe: Stay home one more day, and tomorrow you’ll feel even better.
Example 2
Diogo: O trânsito é péssimo em Recife.
Cleo: É ainda pior em São Paulo.
Translation:
Diogo: Traffic is terrible in Recife.
Cleo: It is even worse in São Paulo.
Example 3
Diogo: Recife é uma cidade grande.
Cleo: São Paulo é ainda maior.
Translation:
Diogo: Recife is a big city.
Cleo: São Paulo is even bigger.
Example 4
Diogo: Paraty é uma cidade pequena.
Cleo: Búzios é ainda menor.
Translation:
Diogo: Paraty is a small city.
Cleo: Búzios is even smaller.
Use Ainda não To Say Not Yet
This is a completely different use of ainda in Portuguese. We use ainda não to say not yet.
Example 1
Laura: Você já terminou o relatório?
Carlos: Ainda não. Vou terminar até o fim do dia.
Translation:
Laura: Have you finished the report?
Carlos: Not yet. I’ll finish it by the end of the day.
Example 2
Bruna: A comida chegou?
Eduardo: Ainda não. Mas deve chegar logo.
Translation:
Bruna: Has the food arrived?
Eduardo: Not yet. But it should be here soon.
Example 3
Joana: Você conhece o Brasil?
Mark: Ainda não, mas quero muito conhecer.
Translation:
Joana: Have you been to Brazil?
Mark: Not yet, but I really want to go.
In summary
- Ainda mais = even more
- Ainda menos = even less
- Ainda não = not yet
Irregular comparatives:
- Ainda melhor = even better
- Ainda pior = even worse
- Ainda maior = even bigger
- Ainda menor = even smaller
Keep Learning 🚀
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