Welcome! If you’re looking to expand your Portuguese vocabulary and find out how to express the meaning of “terrific” in this beautiful language, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll explore various formal and informal ways to translate “terrific” into Portuguese, along with some useful tips and examples. Whether you’re planning a trip to a Portuguese-speaking country or simply eager to learn, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Terrific” in Portuguese
If you’re in a formal setting or conversing with someone you’re not particularly close to, it’s essential to use a more polished expression when describing something as “terrific.” Here are a few formal ways to convey this sentiment:
- Excelente – This versatile term means “excellent” and can be used to express something as “terrific” in a formal context. For instance, you can say “O jantar estava excelente” (The dinner was terrific).
- Fantástico – Another great option is “fantástico.” It works well when you want to emphasize the fantastic nature of something. For example, “A apresentação do artista foi fantástica” (The artist’s performance was terrific).
- Maravilhoso – This translates as “marvelous” or “wonderful” in English, and is an appropriate term to use in formal situations. You could say, “Que notícia maravilhosa!” (What terrific news!).
- Surpreendente – When you need to convey the idea of something being “amazing,” “incredible,” or “astonishing,” “surpreendente” is a suitable choice. For example, “O filme foi surpreendente” (The movie was terrific).
Informal Ways to Say “Terrific” in Portuguese
When you’re in a more casual or friendly setting, using informal expressions to say “terrific” in Portuguese can add a touch of authenticity to your conversations. Here are a few options:
- Show de bola – This popular Brazilian expression literally means “ball show” and is equivalent to saying “awesome” or “great” in English. You can use it to express your enthusiasm for something, e.g., “A festa ontem à noite foi show de bola!” (Last night’s party was terrific!).
- Muito maneiro – Roughly translated as “very cool,” “muito maneiro” is frequently used in Portugal and Brazil to convey a positive feeling. For example, “Os novos tênis que comprei são muito maneiro!” (The new sneakers I bought are terrific!).
- Demais – A versatile slang expression to describe something as “awesome,” “amazing,” or “phenomenal.” For instance, “A viagem foi demais!” (The trip was terrific!).
- Legal pra caramba – An expressive phrase meaning “really cool” or “awesome.” It adds an extra emphasis on how terrific something is. For example, “O novo álbum dessa banda é legal pra caramba!” (The new album by this band is really terrific!).
Examples of “Terrific” in Portuguese
Let’s now take a look at some contextual examples to help solidify your understanding of how to use these expressions:
“A apresentação de dança foi fantástica! Os bailarinos eram excelentes e o público adorou.”
“The dance performance was terrific! The dancers were excellent, and the audience loved it.”
“O novo restaurante na cidade é demais! A comida é maravilhosa e o ambiente é excelente.”
“The new restaurant in town is terrific! The food is marvelous, and the atmosphere is excellent.”
Regional Variations
Portuguese is spoken in several countries across the globe, and while most of the expressions provided are used universally, some regional variations exist. For instance, “show de bola” is more commonly used in Brazil, while “muito maneiro” is frequently heard in Portugal. However, given the global influence of Brazilian Portuguese, the informal expressions often transcend borders and are understood in many Portuguese-speaking regions.
That wraps up our comprehensive guide on how to say “terrific” in Portuguese. We covered both formal and informal options, provided useful tips, and offered plenty of examples to help you incorporate these expressions into your Portuguese conversations. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t hesitate to start using these phrases in your everyday interactions. Wishing you a fantástico journey towards mastering Portuguese!
