Melissa corre todos os dias, quer chova, quer faça sol.Here is a really simple expression that says so much: rain or shine. We have a corresponding expression in Brazilian Portuguese, and that is what I am going to show you today. Here is the video:
Quer chova, quer faça sol
In Brazil we say:
- Quer chova, quer faça sol = rain or shine
Literally, it translates to: whether it rains, whether it is sunny.
Some people use a modified version of the expression:
- Faça sol ou faça chuva
It means the same thing.
Examples
1)
Melissa corre todos os dias, quer chova, quer faça sol.
= Melissa runs every day, rain or shine.
2)
Sempre começo meu dia com uma xícara de chá, quer chova, quer faça sol.
= I always start my day with a cup of tea, rain or shine.
Go Beyond the Expression
This is a good opportunity to learn this useful structure:
- Quer… quer… = whether this or that
For example:
- Você precisa participar da reunião, quer queira, quer não queira.
= You need to attend the meeting, whether you want to or not.
There is a song by Tim Maia called Quer Queira, Quer Não Queira. Check out the lyrics and video here.
In this structure, the verb that follows “quer” needs to be conjugated in the present subjunctive.
Additional Examples
1)
Vocês precisam usar o novo modelo de relatório, quer gostem, quer não gostem.
= You need to use the new report template, whether you like it or not.
2)
Nós vamos começar a reunião na hora, quer André esteja aqui, quer não esteja.
= We are going to start the meeting on time, whether André is here or not.
You can use this expression in so many situations. I am sure it will be useful to know it both for personal and business conversations.
Want to practice more Portuguese and speak with ease? Book a Trial Lesson with a Street Smart Brazil instructor to see how effective our lessons via Skype are.
