Greetings and welcome to this comprehensive guide on how to say “no good” in Portuguese! Whether you find yourself in a formal or informal setting, it’s important to know the right expressions for expressing dissatisfaction or disapproval. In this guide, we’ll cover various ways to convey “no good” in Portuguese, offering tips, examples, and even exploring regional variations if necessary. So, let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
1. Formal Expressions:
When communicating in a formal context, it’s essential to choose appropriate and respectful language. Here are several ways to express “no good” formally:
1. “Não é bom” (lit. “It is not good”):
This expression is straightforward and widely used in formal settings. For example, if you want to say “This situation is no good,” you can say “Esta situação não é boa”. The adjective “boa” agrees with the feminine noun “situação”.
2. “Não está bom” (lit. “It is not good”):
Similar to the previous expression, this one uses the verb “estar” (to be) to express “is not good.” For instance, if you want to express dissatisfaction with a particular outcome, you could say, “O resultado não está bom.”
3. “Não serve” (lit. “It doesn’t serve”):
In certain contexts, you might want to highlight that something is not suitable or useful. This phrase allows you to convey that sentiment. For example, if you want to say “This solution is no good,” you can say “Essa solução não serve”.
2. Informal Expressions:
Informal situations provide room for a slightly more casual tone. Here are a few expressions that can be used in such settings:
1. “Não presta” (lit. “It doesn’t work”):
This expression is commonly used informally to convey that something is not good or of poor quality. For instance, if someone asks you about a movie you watched and you didn’t enjoy it, you can say “O filme não presta”.
2. “Não tá legal” (lit. “It’s not okay”):
This phrase is an informal way to express that something is not good or not going well. For example, if you want to say “This party is no good,” you can say “Essa festa não tá legal”. The contraction “tá” is a colloquial form of “está”.
3. “Não está bom” (lit. “It is not good”):
Similar to the formal expression, this one is also used in informal situations. However, the tone and context in which it is used can make it more appropriate for casual conversations. For instance, if you want to express dissatisfaction with a dish at a restaurant, you could say, “Essa comida não está boa.”
Tips for Usage:
- Remember that tone and context play a crucial role in choosing the appropriate expression. Always consider the formality of the situation before using any of the phrases mentioned above.
- It’s important to note that the translations provided are not always literal but rather convey the intended meaning in Portuguese.
- Practice using these expressions in various contexts to become more comfortable and fluent in your Portuguese conversations.
Example Dialogue:
André: O que você achou do livro que te emprestei? (What did you think of the book I lent you?)
Maria: Desculpa, mas não está bom. Não consegui me conectar com a história. (Sorry, but it’s not good. I couldn’t connect with the story.)
By using the expressions and tips provided in this guide, you’ll be able to confidently express “no good” in Portuguese, both formally and informally. Remember, language learning is a journey, so embrace every opportunity to practice and improve. Best of luck!
