ah tá
/ˈa ˈta/word by word
The English phrase "oh ok" can be translated into Portuguese as ah tá.
Ah tá is an informal expression used to show that you have understood or accepted a piece of information. It can be translated as "Oh ok" or "Alright then".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the interjection ah and the conjugated form of the verb estar (to be). Specifically, tá is a colloquial shortening of the third-person singular present indicative form está.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Ah tá is an informal expression and is not suitable for formal writing or professional settings. For a slang alternative that means "Okay" or "Cool", you can use beleza.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈa ˈta/
Did you know?
- While ah tá is used for understanding, the slang alternative beleza literally means 'beauty'. It is used to signal that a situation is 'beautiful' or settled.
- While ah tá works as an acknowledgment, saying it with a rising intonation can transform the phrase into a sarcastic way of saying 'Yeah, right' or 'I don't believe you'.
- In many parts of Brazil, the word tá is so ubiquitous that it can be used almost as a punctuation mark to separate parts of a sentence, much like 'right?' or 'okay?' in English.
Examples in context
- Ah tá, agora eu entendi.Oh ok, now I understand.
- Ah tá, vou fazer isso então.Oh ok, I will do that then.
- Ah tá, não sabia disso.Oh ok, I didn't know that.
Example conversation
Lucas explains that the meeting was moved to a later time.
- CamilaA reunião mudou para as três horas.The meeting was moved to three o'clock.
- LucasAh tá, vou anotar aqui.Oh ok, I will write it down here.
- CamilaVocê consegue chegar a tempo?Can you arrive on time?
- LucasSim, sem problemas.Yes, no problem.
