Greetings! If you’re looking to learn how to say “lucky” in Portuguese, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the formal and informal ways to express this concept, focusing on Portuguese spoken in Portugal and Brazil. So, let’s dive in and explore the various ways to convey “lucky” in Portuguese!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Lucky
When it comes to formal language, Portuguese offers a range of vocabulary options to express the idea of luck. Here are some phrases you can use:
- Ter sorte – This translation, literally meaning “to have luck,” is the most common way to say “to be lucky” in general situations. For example, “Ele tem sorte na vida” (He is lucky in life).
- Ter a sorte de – This phrase means “to have the luck to” and is often used when someone is fortunate enough to experience something special. For instance, “Tive a sorte de viajar pelo mundo” (I had the luck to travel the world).
- Ser sortudo(a) – This term is an adjective that directly translates to “lucky” and can be used to describe someone who generally has good luck. For instance, “Ela é uma pessoa muito sortuda” (She is a very lucky person).
- Sorte estar ao seu lado – This phrase can be used to say “luck is on your side.” It conveys the idea that someone is fortunate to have luck on their side. For example, “Você tem sorte de ter a sorte estar ao seu lado” (You are lucky to have luck on your side).
Informal Ways to Say Lucky
Informal language allows for more casual expressions of luck. Here are some examples that will help you sound like a local:
- Ser de sorte – This informal expression means “to be lucky.” It is common in both Portugal and Brazil and is often used among friends. For example, “Ele é de sorte, sempre ganha nos jogos” (He is lucky, he always wins at games).
- Ter um pé de coelho – This fun and idiomatic expression literally translates to “to have a rabbit’s foot” and implies being lucky or bringing good fortune. For instance, “Ele tem um pé de coelho, tudo dá certo para ele” (He has a rabbit’s foot, everything goes well for him).
- Dar sorte – This phrase is used in Brazil to mean “to bring luck.” It suggests that something or someone brings good fortune. For example, “A camiseta amarela sempre me dá sorte” (The yellow shirt always brings me luck).
- Sortudo(a) – This is the shortened form of “sortudo(a)” mentioned earlier and is frequently used in colloquial Portuguese. It’s similar in meaning, implying that someone is lucky. For example, “Você é muito sortudo” (You are very lucky).
Regional Variations
While Portuguese presents slight variations between Portugal and Brazil, both variations understand and use the mentioned expressions without major differences. However, it’s important to note the regional variance in pronunciation.
In Portugal, the letter “s” is spoken as a “sh” sound, so “sorte” sounds like “shor-te.” In Brazil, the “s” is pronounced as a traditional “s” sound, so “sorte” is pronounced as “sor-chi.”
Examples
Now, let’s look at some examples of how to use the phrase “lucky” in different contexts:
- Formal Examples:
- Ela teve a sorte de conseguir o emprego dos sonhos. (She was lucky to get the job of her dreams.)
- Tenho sorte de ter você como amigo. (I am lucky to have you as a friend.)
- Informal Examples:
- Estou de sorte hoje, ganhei na loteria. (I am lucky today, I won the lottery.)
- Essa música sempre me dá sorte nos exames. (This song always brings me luck in exams.)
Congratulations! You’ve learned various ways to express “lucky” in Portuguese. Remember to use the appropriate formality level and explore different expressions while immersing yourself in the Portuguese-speaking culture. Boa sorte! (Good luck!)
