In 15 Sekunden
- A sincere way to take responsibility for a mistake.
- More formal than 'foi mal' but very relatable.
- Used to de-escalate tension by owning the error.
Bedeutung
This phrase is used when you want to take full responsibility for a mistake. It is like saying 'I own up to my error' or 'My bad' but with a bit more sincerity and weight.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Missing a work deadline
Admito minha falha e vou entregar o relatório amanhã cedo.
I admit my failure and I will deliver the report tomorrow morning.
Forgetting an anniversary
Eu admito minha falha, esqueci completamente do nosso jantar.
I admit my failure, I completely forgot about our dinner.
Realizing you gave wrong directions
Admito minha falha, o caminho certo era para a esquerda.
My bad, the right way was to the left.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Brazil, admitting a fault is often seen as a sign of 'humildade' (humility), a highly prized social trait. It can actually strengthen a relationship because it shows you aren't 'arrogante'. Portuguese culture can be quite formal and traditional. Admitting a fault ('falha') is expected in professional hierarchies and is handled with a certain level of solemnity. In Angolan business culture, respect for hierarchy is paramount. Admitting a fault to a superior must be done with great respect, often using formal titles. Modern startups in São Paulo or Lisbon use this phrase to promote a 'fail fast' culture where acknowledging errors is the first step to innovation.
The 'But' Rule
Never follow 'Admito minha falha' with 'mas' (but). It destroys the sincerity. Follow it with 'e' (and) + a solution.
Eye Contact
In Brazil, when saying this, maintain soft eye contact. It shows you are being 'transparente' (transparent).
In 15 Sekunden
- A sincere way to take responsibility for a mistake.
- More formal than 'foi mal' but very relatable.
- Used to de-escalate tension by owning the error.
What It Means
Admito minha falha is the ultimate way to say you messed up. It is more than a simple 'sorry.' You are acknowledging that a specific error was yours and yours alone. It sounds honest and mature. Use it when you want to stop an argument or clear the air. It shows you have character and integrity.
How To Use It
You can use it as a standalone sentence or follow it with a reason. For example, Admito minha falha, esqueci de avisar. It works perfectly in professional emails or heart-to-heart talks. You can swap falha for erro if you want to sound slightly more casual. Just remember to use minha to keep the responsibility on yourself. It is a powerful tool for de-escalating tension.
When To Use It
Use it when you actually did something wrong. Maybe you missed a deadline at work. Perhaps you forgot your partner's favorite snack at the market. It is great for those 'oops' moments that have real consequences. It sounds very sincere in a meeting with your boss. It also works when you realize you were wrong in a heated debate.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for tiny, trivial things. If you bump into someone on the street, just say desculpe. Using admito minha falha there sounds way too dramatic. It is also not a 'get out of jail free' card. If you keep making the same mistake, the phrase loses its magic. Avoid it if you are trying to be sarcastic, as it can sound passive-aggressive.
Cultural Background
In Brazilian culture, people often value personal connection and 'jeitinho.' However, admitting a mistake directly is highly respected. It breaks the stereotype of always trying to find a workaround. Historically, being direct about errors shows a high level of 'educação' (good upbringing). It is a phrase that builds trust quickly in a social circle.
Common Variations
You might hear Errei, admito which is a bit punchier. Assumo o erro is another very common way to say the same thing. In very informal settings, people just say Foi mal. If you want to be extra formal, try Reconheço meu equívoco. Each one shifts the weight of the apology slightly, but the core meaning remains the same.
Nutzungshinweise
This phrase sits in the neutral-to-formal range. It is highly effective in professional settings or serious personal conversations. Avoid using it for minor social gaffes to prevent sounding overly dramatic.
The 'But' Rule
Never follow 'Admito minha falha' with 'mas' (but). It destroys the sincerity. Follow it with 'e' (and) + a solution.
Eye Contact
In Brazil, when saying this, maintain soft eye contact. It shows you are being 'transparente' (transparent).
Don't Overuse
If you admit your fault every day, people will stop trusting your competence. Use it for real mistakes.
Beispiele
6Admito minha falha e vou entregar o relatório amanhã cedo.
I admit my failure and I will deliver the report tomorrow morning.
Shows professionalism and a solution-oriented mindset.
Eu admito minha falha, esqueci completamente do nosso jantar.
I admit my failure, I completely forgot about our dinner.
A sincere apology to a partner.
Admito minha falha, o caminho certo era para a esquerda.
My bad, the right way was to the left.
A casual way to correct yourself mid-conversation.
Admito minha falha! Já estou chegando no café.
I admit my fault! I'm almost at the cafe.
Used to lighten the mood while acknowledging the delay.
Admito minha falha, eu comi o seu doce achando que era meu.
I admit my failure, I ate your dessert thinking it was mine.
Uses a serious phrase for a silly mistake to be funny.
Admito minha falha no processo e peço sinceras desculpas.
I admit my failure in the process and offer sincere apologies.
Standard formal phrasing for written communication.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'admitir' in the present tense.
Eu ________ minha falha e peço desculpas.
The subject is 'Eu', so the verb 'admitir' must be conjugated in the first person singular present: 'admito'.
Which phrase is most appropriate for a formal email to a boss?
You made a mistake in a budget calculation. What do you write?
This is the most professional and sincere way to take responsibility in a work context.
Match the Portuguese phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
All pairs are correctly matched to their semantic equivalents.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
Amigo: 'Você esqueceu de me buscar no aeroporto!' Você: '________. O despertador não tocou.'
While 'A culpa é do relógio' is an excuse, 'Admito minha falha' is the most mature way to start the apology.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenEu ________ minha falha e peço desculpas.
The subject is 'Eu', so the verb 'admitir' must be conjugated in the first person singular present: 'admito'.
You made a mistake in a budget calculation. What do you write?
This is the most professional and sincere way to take responsibility in a work context.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
All pairs are correctly matched to their semantic equivalents.
Amigo: 'Você esqueceu de me buscar no aeroporto!' Você: '________. O despertador não tocou.'
While 'A culpa é do relógio' is an excuse, 'Admito minha falha' is the most mature way to start the apology.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
5 FragenIt's a bit formal, but if the mistake was serious (like forgetting a big event), it shows you are taking it seriously. For small things, use 'Desculpa, errei'.
Yes, but it sounds more detached, like you are talking about a system error rather than your own mistake.
'Erro' is a wrong action. 'Falha' is a failure to meet a standard or a lapse in a process. They are often used as synonyms.
You say 'Admito minhas falhas'.
Yes, but they usually add the article: 'Admito a minha falha'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Errar é humano
similarTo err is human.
Dar o braço a torcer
idiomTo give in / To admit one was wrong.
Pisar na bola
informalTo mess up / To let someone down.
Assumir o erro
synonymTo take ownership of the mistake.
