Greetings! If you’re looking to expand your Portuguese vocabulary and learn how to express temperature in this wonderful language, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to talk about the weather, discuss some regional variations if necessary, and provide you with plenty of tips and examples along the way.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways of Expressing Temperature
When it comes to formal expressions, Portuguese offers a range of options to communicate temperature. Each phrase might differ slightly, depending on the context, the degree of formality, and the region. Here are a few commonly used phrases:
1. Está calor
This phrase translates to “It is hot” in English. It’s a straightforward and commonly used expression to describe high temperatures.
Example:
Está calor hoje! Vamos à praia? (It is hot today! Shall we go to the beach?)
2. Está frio
When the weather turns cold, you can use the phrase “Está frio.” It means “It is cold” and is widely understood across Portuguese-speaking regions.
Example:
Está frio lá fora. Certifique-se de levar um casaco! (It is cold outside. Make sure to bring a jacket!)
3. A temperatura está agradável
If the temperature is pleasant and comfortable, use the phrase “A temperatura está agradável” to convey that idea.
Example:
A temperatura está agradável hoje, perfeita para um passeio no parque. (The temperature is pleasant today, perfect for a walk in the park.)
4. Está fresco
When the weather is cool or fresh, you can say “Está fresco.”
Example:
Está fresco nesta área da cidade. Coloque um suéter se for sair. (It is cool in this part of the city. Put on a sweater if you’re going out.)
Informal Ways to Talk About Temperature
Informal expressions are often used between friends, family, or when speaking to someone with whom you have a close relationship. These expressions add a friendly touch to your conversations or daily interactions. Let’s take a look:
1. Está um calorão
When it’s scorching hot outside, you can use the word “calorão” to convey that intense heat in an informal way.
Example:
Está um calorão hoje! Vamos para a piscina? (It’s scorching hot today! Shall we go to the pool?)
2. Tá frio de arrepiar
To express a bone-chilling cold, you can say “Tá frio de arrepiar.” This phrase emphasizes the extreme cold in a casual manner.
Example:
Hoje tá frio de arrepiar. Melhor ficar em casa com um cobertor! (Today is bone-chilling cold. It’s better to stay at home with a blanket!)
3. Tá uma temperatura agradável
In informal settings, you can simply say “Tá uma temperatura agradável” to describe a comfortable and nice temperature.
Example:
Tá uma temperatura agradável hoje, né? Vamos aproveitar para fazer um piquenique. (The temperature is nice today, right? Let’s take advantage and have a picnic.)
4. Tá fresquinho
If you want to say it’s a bit cool or fresh in an informal manner, you can use the word “fresquinho.”
Example:
Tá fresquinho agora. Pegue um casaquinho antes de sair. (It’s a bit cool now. Grab a jacket before going out.)
Regional Variations
As with any language, regional variations exist in Portuguese. While the fundamental expressions we discussed earlier are widely understood throughout Portuguese-speaking countries, some specific regions use their own terms to describe temperature. Let’s explore a few examples:
1. Brazil (Regional Variation)
In Brazil, especially in the state of São Paulo, people might use the word “quentura” instead of “calor” to talk about hot weather.
Example:
Tá uma quentura insuportável hoje em São Paulo! (It’s unbearably hot today in São Paulo!)
2. Portugal (Regional Variation)
In Portugal, some regions may use the phrase “faz um frio de rachar” to emphasize freezing cold temperatures.
Example:
Faz um frio de rachar em Bragança! (It’s freezing cold in Bragança!)
Summing Up
Now you’re equipped with several ways to express temperature in Portuguese. Whether you need to engage in a formal conversation or have a casual chat with friends, you can confidently discuss the weather and the temperature in Portuguese. Remember, these phrases can vary slightly depending on the specific region, so adapt accordingly. Enjoy expanding your vocabulary and engaging in lively conversations about the weather in Portuguese!
