في 15 ثانية
- To actively chase a goal, job, or person.
- Implies taking initiative rather than waiting around.
- Commonly used for career moves and romantic interests.
المعنى
This phrase means to actively pursue something or someone you really want. It's like chasing a dream, a job, or even a person you have a crush on with real effort.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Talking about a new job search
Eu vou cair atrás de um emprego novo amanhã.
I'm going to go after a new job tomorrow.
Texting a friend about a crush
Você devia cair atrás dela, ela é legal!
You should go after her, she's cool!
Losing a document at an office
Preciso cair atrás desse documento na prefeitura.
I need to track down this document at city hall.
خلفية ثقافية
This expression highlights the 'correria' (the hustle) of daily life in Lusophone cultures. It became popular as a way to describe the relentless pursuit of opportunities in competitive urban environments like São Paulo or Lisbon. It suggests that success requires a physical-like effort to 'chase down' your destiny.
The 'Prejuízo' Secret
Brazilians often say `cair atrás do prejuízo`. It literally means 'chasing the loss,' but it actually means working hard to recover what you lost or to fix a mistake.
Don't be too literal
If you say `caí atrás do sofá`, people will think you physically fell behind the couch. Make sure there is an object of pursuit to keep it idiomatic!
في 15 ثانية
- To actively chase a goal, job, or person.
- Implies taking initiative rather than waiting around.
- Commonly used for career moves and romantic interests.
What It Means
Cair atrás de is all about proactive pursuit. It implies you aren't just waiting for things to happen. You are moving, hunting, and working to get what you desire. It sounds like "falling," but it actually feels like "running."
How To Use It
You use it when you're talking about goals or needs. Use the verb cair followed by atrás de and then the object of your desire. It works for physical objects, abstract goals, or romantic interests. It shows you have a bit of fire in your belly.
When To Use It
Use it when discussing your career moves or personal projects. It’s perfect for telling a friend you're finally applying for that dream job. It also works when you've lost something and need to track it down. If you're at a party and see someone cute, your friend might tell you to cair atrás.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for passive situations. If you are just "looking" at a menu, you aren't cair atrás of food. Avoid it in very stiff, legalistic environments. It’s a bit too energetic for a funeral or a high-court hearing. Also, don't use it if you are literally falling down a flight of stairs!
Cultural Background
Brazilians and Portuguese people value the "hustle." This phrase reflects a culture that admires those who take initiative. It’s the linguistic cousin of the "go-getter" attitude. It suggests that life doesn't hand you things on a silver platter. You have to go out and grab them.
Common Variations
You might hear correr atrás de, which is even more common. Both imply the same sense of urgency and effort. In some regions, people just say ir atrás. However, cair atrás adds a flavor of suddenly deciding to take action. It’s like you’ve finally dropped everything to focus on one goal.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
This is a B1 level phrase because it requires understanding that 'cair' loses its literal meaning of falling. It is mostly informal but perfectly acceptable in everyday professional conversations to show proactivity.
The 'Prejuízo' Secret
Brazilians often say `cair atrás do prejuízo`. It literally means 'chasing the loss,' but it actually means working hard to recover what you lost or to fix a mistake.
Don't be too literal
If you say `caí atrás do sofá`, people will think you physically fell behind the couch. Make sure there is an object of pursuit to keep it idiomatic!
Regional Flavor
In Portugal, `ir atrás` is slightly more common, while in Brazil, the more energetic `cair atrás` or `correr atrás` is the go-to for showing determination.
أمثلة
6Eu vou cair atrás de um emprego novo amanhã.
I'm going to go after a new job tomorrow.
Shows a determined start to a job hunt.
Você devia cair atrás dela, ela é legal!
You should go after her, she's cool!
Encouraging a friend in a romantic context.
Preciso cair atrás desse documento na prefeitura.
I need to track down this document at city hall.
Used for navigating bureaucracy with effort.
Cansamos de esperar e caímos atrás das passagens.
We got tired of waiting and went after the tickets.
Implies taking action after a period of hesitation.
Segunda-feira eu caio atrás do prejuízo na academia!
On Monday I'm going after the damage at the gym!
A common joke about making up for overeating.
Meu pai caiu atrás de um médico especialista para mim.
My father went looking for a specialist doctor for me.
Shows care and effort to find a solution.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentence about pursuing a dream.
Eu finalmente decidi ___ do meu sonho de ser músico.
The phrase `cair atrás` is used to describe the act of pursuing a goal or dream.
Which preposition follows 'cair' to mean chasing something?
Ele vai cair ___ de uma solução.
`Atrás` (behind) is the essential part of the idiom meaning to chase or pursue.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality of 'Cair atrás de'
Very street-level, used with close friends.
Cai atrás, mano!
Standard conversational Portuguese.
Vou cair atrás de um lanche.
Acceptable in most daily interactions.
Temos que cair atrás dos resultados.
Better to use 'empenhar-se' or 'buscar'.
N/A
When to use 'Cair atrás de'
Job Hunting
Searching for vacancies.
Romance
Asking someone out.
Lost Items
Finding lost keys.
Ambition
Starting a business.
بنك التمارين
2 تمارينEu finalmente decidi ___ do meu sonho de ser músico.
The phrase `cair atrás` is used to describe the act of pursuing a goal or dream.
Ele vai cair ___ de uma solução.
`Atrás` (behind) is the essential part of the idiom meaning to chase or pursue.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةNo, it's metaphorical. It means you are 'dropping' your current state to start chasing something, like cair atrás de um sonho.
Yes, in a casual office setting. You can say Vou cair atrás desse relatório to show you're on top of it.
They are almost identical. Correr atrás is slightly more common, while cair atrás sounds a bit more like a sudden decision to act.
Not at all! It shows initiative and energy. It's a positive thing to be someone who cai atrás of their goals.
Yes, but be careful. It can mean pursuing someone romantically or trying to find someone you need to talk to, like cair atrás do chefe.
It's an irregular verb. For example: Eu caio, Ele caiu, Nós caímos. Always keep the atrás de part the same.
Yes, though ir atrás or correr atrás might be heard more frequently in Lisbon. Cair atrás is very common in Brazil.
Usually, it's for things you want. You wouldn't cair atrás of a cold or a problem, unless you're trying to solve it.
It depends on the object. Use do/da if the object is specific: cair atrás do (de + o) dinheiro.
Forgetting the de. You must say cair atrás DE algo. Saying just cair atrás sounds incomplete.
عبارات ذات صلة
correr atrás
to chase after / to hustle
ir à luta
to go to the fight / to work hard for something
dar o sangue
to give one's blood / to give 100% effort
buscar
to search for / to seek
