في 15 ثانية
- The standard Portuguese word for 'but' used in all situations.
- Connects two contrasting ideas or adds a 'catch' to a statement.
- Always stays the same; no gender or number agreement needed.
المعنى
Think of it as the ultimate 'pivot' word. It's the most common way to say 'but' when you want to introduce a contrast or a surprise.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Ordering at a cafe
Eu quero um café, mas sem açúcar.
I want a coffee, but without sugar.
Talking about the weather
Está sol, mas está frio.
It is sunny, but it is cold.
In a business meeting
O plano é bom, mas o custo é alto.
The plan is good, but the cost is high.
خلفية ثقافية
The 'Mas' of Indignation: Brazilians often start sentences with 'Mas...' to express that something is absurd. It's usually accompanied by a specific hand gesture (fingertips together, moving up and down). In Portugal, 'mas' is often pronounced so quickly it sounds like a short 'mush'. It is used very precisely in logical arguments. In African Lusophone countries, 'mas' follows standard Portuguese rules but is often used in storytelling to create dramatic pauses before a plot twist. The 'Mas vs Mais' debate is a constant source of 'grammar policing' in comment sections. Using it correctly is a sign of good education.
The 'i' Trap
Always double-check your texts. If you see an 'i' in 'mais', make sure you are talking about quantity, not contrast.
The Comma Rule
If you want to look like a pro writer, always put that comma before 'mas'. It's a small detail that native speakers often miss but teachers love.
في 15 ثانية
- The standard Portuguese word for 'but' used in all situations.
- Connects two contrasting ideas or adds a 'catch' to a statement.
- Always stays the same; no gender or number agreement needed.
What It Means
Mas is the bread and butter of Portuguese contrast. It functions exactly like the English word 'but'. You use it to connect two ideas that don't quite match up. It is short, sharp, and essential for every conversation.
How To Use It
Place Mas right in the middle of your sentence. It acts as a bridge between your first thought and the contradiction. For example, 'I want to go, mas I am tired.' It never changes its form. It doesn't care if you are talking about men, women, or a group of cats. It stays exactly as it is.
When To Use It
You will use this constantly. Use it at a restaurant when you like the food mas it is too salty. Use it when texting a friend to say you're coming mas you'll be late. It works in professional emails to say a project is good mas needs changes. It is the universal tool for adding 'the catch' to any situation.
When NOT To Use It
Don't confuse mas with mais. This is the biggest trap for everyone! Mais means 'more' (like adding sugar). Mas means 'but'. Also, don't use it to start every single sentence. If you keep saying 'But... but... but...', you might sound a bit argumentative. In very formal writing, you might swap it for porém, but mas is never actually wrong.
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers love a good 'but'. It’s often used to soften a 'no'. Instead of saying 'I can't come,' a Brazilian or Portuguese person might say, 'I really wanted to, mas...' and then give a long explanation. It’s part of the social glue that keeps things polite while delivering bad news. It’s the word that introduces the 'jeitinho'—the little way around a problem.
Common Variations
You might hear mas também which means 'but also'. In casual speech, people sometimes stretch the 'a' sound if they are thinking. In Portugal, the pronunciation is very closed, sounding almost like 'mush'. In Brazil, it’s a clear, open 'mahz'. Just remember: no 'i' sound, or you're asking for more coffee!
ملاحظات الاستخدام
The word is universally applicable across all levels of formality. The only major 'gotcha' is the spelling confusion with `mais` (more).
The 'i' Trap
Always double-check your texts. If you see an 'i' in 'mais', make sure you are talking about quantity, not contrast.
The Comma Rule
If you want to look like a pro writer, always put that comma before 'mas'. It's a small detail that native speakers often miss but teachers love.
Softening the Blow
When someone asks you for a favor you can't do, start with 'Eu adoraria...' (I would love to...) then add 'mas' and your excuse. It's much more polite.
أمثلة
6Eu quero um café, mas sem açúcar.
I want a coffee, but without sugar.
A very common way to specify preferences.
Está sol, mas está frio.
It is sunny, but it is cold.
Used to contrast the visual with the feeling.
O plano é bom, mas o custo é alto.
The plan is good, but the cost is high.
Professional way to offer a critique.
Eu vou à festa, mas chego tarde.
I'm going to the party, but I'll arrive late.
Setting expectations in a friendly way.
Eu quero malhar, mas a minha cama não deixa.
I want to work out, but my bed won't let me.
Common joke about being lazy.
Sinto muito, mas não posso ajudar hoje.
I'm sorry, but I can't help today.
Softening a refusal with an apology.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
Eu gosto de ir à praia, ___ hoje está chovendo.
You need the word for 'but' to show contrast with the rain. 'Mais' means 'more'.
Fill in the blank with 'mas' or 'mais'.
Ela é a menina ____ inteligente da sala, ____ não gosta de estudar.
The first blank needs 'more' (mais) for the superlative, and the second needs 'but' (mas) for the contrast.
Complete the dialogue with a natural response using 'mas'.
Amigo: 'Vamos ao cinema hoje?' Você: 'Eu queria ir, _______.'
The response needs to provide a reason why you can't go, using 'mas' for 'but'.
Match the sentence to the correct context.
1. 'Mas que surpresa!' 2. 'Não só li, mas também entendi.' 3. 'É barato, mas ruim.'
1 is an exclamation, 2 uses the 'not only... but also' pattern, and 3 contrasts price with quality.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Mas vs. Mais
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينEu gosto de ir à praia, ___ hoje está chovendo.
You need the word for 'but' to show contrast with the rain. 'Mais' means 'more'.
Ela é a menina ____ inteligente da sala, ____ não gosta de estudar.
The first blank needs 'more' (mais) for the superlative, and the second needs 'but' (mas) for the contrast.
Amigo: 'Vamos ao cinema hoje?' Você: 'Eu queria ir, _______.'
The response needs to provide a reason why you can't go, using 'mas' for 'but'.
1. 'Mas que surpresa!' 2. 'Não só li, mas também entendi.' 3. 'É barato, mas ruim.'
1 is an exclamation, 2 uses the 'not only... but also' pattern, and 3 contrasts price with quality.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةYes, especially in spoken language or informal writing. In very formal essays, it's better to use 'Porém' or keep it after a comma.
Yes, they are functional equivalents. However, Portuguese also has 'porém' which is more common than the Spanish 'mas'.
This is a common spelling error among native speakers because the words sound very similar in many dialects. Don't copy them!
No, 'mas' is an invariable conjunction. It never changes for plural or gender.
'Mas' is neutral and used everywhere. 'Porém' is more formal and is often used in writing to vary the vocabulary.
No. In English you can say 'everyone but me', but in Portuguese you must say 'todos, exceto eu' or 'todos menos eu'.
It sounds like 'mush' with a very short, neutral vowel sound.
Absolutely. It is perfectly professional, though you might use 'contudo' for a very high-level report.
It's a famous expression that roughly means 'Oh, come on' or 'It's nothing'. Here, 'mas' is used for emphasis.
Never. 'More' is always 'mais' (with an 'i').
عبارات ذات صلة
porém
synonymbut / however
contudo
synonymnevertheless / however
não só... mas também
builds onnot only... but also
mas sim
specialized formbut rather
só que
similarit's just that / but
