Ever had a Brazilian tell you, “I’ll check and let you know”? Well, here’s a little secret: we might not actually be planning to follow up! 😬 Let’s dive into how this gentle way of not committing is a key part of Brazilian-style communication and how it keeps things polite yet non-committal.
Seven phrases that sound like a “Yes”, but actually mean “Probably not”
In true Brazilian style, we have plenty of ways to keep things polite and friendly—without fully committing! From “Vamos marcar” to “Depois a gente combina”, these phrases sound promising, but they don’t always lead to anything concrete. It’s just part of how we keep things lighthearted while staying non-committal.
Here’s how we avoid locking in plans, Brazilian style!
- Vou ver e te aviso. – I’ll check and let you know.
- Depois a gente combina. – We’ll make plans later.
- Vamos marcar. – Let’s set it up.
- Te aviso se eu puder. – I’ll let you know if I can make it.
- Pode ser! – Yeah, we can do that!
- Tá. A gente se fala pra combinar. – OK. We’ll talk later to set it up.
- Vou falar com meu marido/minha esposa e te digo. – I’ll talk to my husband/my wife and let you know.
When we say these, we’re probably not that into it 😅. Do any of these sound familiar?
It’s funny but so true! In fact, during our class today, a client mentioned that after reading my email, he realized why he wasn’t getting a clear response from his business partner. He now understands that he did get an answer — it was just a “no”, delivered in the Brazilian way!
Speaking of emails, I send out weekly to bi-weekly emails where I share mini-Portuguese lessons designed to answer common questions and target specific areas that often need improvement. I also send language tips, learning strategies, and cultural insights to keep you motivated. If you’re not already receiving my emails, you can sign up right here 👇🏼
Brazilian culture: Emphasizing harmony over directness
In Brazilian culture, there’s a strong emphasis on maintaining harmony in social relationships, which is why direct refusals are often avoided.
Rather than risk confrontation, offend or cause disappointment, we Brazilians tend to keep interactions smooth and polite. This leads to the use of non-committal phrases such as “Vou ver e te aviso” (I’ll check and let you know) or “Depois a gente combina” (We’ll make plans later). These expressions allow for a polite avoidance of firm commitments without offending or embarrassing the other person.
For those unfamiliar with this cultural nuance, it can sometimes seem as though Brazilians are being evasive or unreliable.
However, it’s not about dishonesty — it’s a way to keep interactions pleasant and avoid causing discomfort. Once you understand this, it’s easier to appreciate the cultural context behind these types of expressions.
With that being said, in the workplace, among peers, we Brazilians can be more direct and assertive. We often feel more comfortable disagreeing or expressing our opinions when discussing ideas or projects with colleagues.
High-context and low-context cultures
This approach to communication ties into the concept of high-context and low-Context cultures, introduced by anthropologist Edward T. Hall.
Brazil is considered a high-context culture, where much of the meaning is implied rather than directly stated.
In high-context cultures, people rely on shared experiences, background knowledge, and social cues to understand the message. The focus is on preserving relationships and avoiding direct conflict.
On the other hand, low-context cultures (like the U.S. or Germany) are more explicit in communication. People from these cultures tend to value clear and direct responses, such as “yes” or “no,” which can sometimes make indirect communication seem confusing or insincere.
Understanding this cultural difference helps explain why we Brazilians often use these indirect phrases—it’s our way of being polite and keeping things smooth socially.
And there you have it—our way of keeping things polite and open-ended, all in the name of harmony.
Have you ever received one of these classic Brazilian responses and wondered what it really meant? Or maybe you’ve used them yourself? I’d love to hear your experiences! Drop a comment below and share how non-committal answers have played out in your life with Brazilians. Let’s keep the conversation going—Brazilian style! 😉
