cachorro que late não morde
His bark is worse than his bite
Wörtlich: dog that barks does not bite
In 15 Sekunden
- Used for people who act tough but are actually harmless.
- A direct equivalent to 'His bark is worse than his bite'.
- Perfect for reassuring friends about empty threats or loud people.
Bedeutung
It describes someone who makes loud threats or acts tough but is actually harmless. It is the perfect way to say that someone's words are much scarier than their actual actions.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Talking about a grumpy boss
O chefe gritou muito hoje, mas cachorro que late não morde.
The boss yelled a lot today, but his bark is worse than his bite.
Discussing a rival sports team
Eles prometeram nos vencer, mas cachorro que late não morde.
They promised to beat us, but they're all talk and no action.
Texting a friend about an argument
Ele disse que ia me processar? Relaxa, cachorro que late não morde.
He said he'd sue me? Relax, his bark is worse than his bite.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Very common in everyday speech to dismiss aggressive behavior.
Use it to calm down
It's a great way to lower the tension in a conversation.
In 15 Sekunden
- Used for people who act tough but are actually harmless.
- A direct equivalent to 'His bark is worse than his bite'.
- Perfect for reassuring friends about empty threats or loud people.
What It Means
Imagine a tiny dog behind a gate. It is yapping loudly and looks terrifying. But once the gate opens, it just wants a belly rub. That is the essence of cachorro que late não morde. You use this to describe people who use aggressive words to hide their lack of action. It is about the gap between a big ego and a small threat.
How To Use It
You can use this phrase as a complete sentence. If a friend is worried about a grumpy boss, just say: Fica tranquilo, cachorro que late não morde. You do not need to change the verb forms or the nouns. It is a fixed expression that works like a proverb. It acts as a verbal shrug to dismiss someone's intimidation tactics.
When To Use It
Use it when you want to reassure someone. It is great for venting about a neighbor who complains too much. It works perfectly in a bar when someone is acting tough. You can also use it in the office when a client is making empty threats. It is a way to tell your friends, "Don't take that person seriously."
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this if someone is actually dangerous. If a real threat is present, this phrase sounds dismissive and risky. Avoid using it directly to the person you are talking about. Calling a person a cachorro to their face is an insult. It is best used when talking *about* someone else to a third party. Also, keep it out of very formal legal documents.
Cultural Background
Brazilians love dogs, and they are everywhere in urban life. This proverb is deeply rooted in the observation of street dogs. It reflects a cultural trait of being wary of "show-offs." In Brazil, people value genuine warmth over aggressive posturing. This phrase has been a staple of Portuguese wisdom for centuries. It teaches you to look past the noise and see the reality.
Common Variations
You might hear people say cão que ladra não morde. This is the European Portuguese version. In Brazil, cachorro is the everyday word for dog. Late comes from the verb latir (to bark). Sometimes people just say the first half: Ah, você sabe... cachorro que late... and let the listener finish the thought. It is a classic linguistic shortcut.
Nutzungshinweise
This is a neutral-to-informal proverb. It is very safe to use in daily life, but avoid it in academic writing or formal speeches unless you are quoting it as a piece of folk wisdom.
Use it to calm down
It's a great way to lower the tension in a conversation.
Beispiele
6O chefe gritou muito hoje, mas cachorro que late não morde.
The boss yelled a lot today, but his bark is worse than his bite.
Used to reassure a coworker after a stressful meeting.
Eles prometeram nos vencer, mas cachorro que late não morde.
They promised to beat us, but they're all talk and no action.
Used to dismiss the trash-talk of an opposing team.
Ele disse que ia me processar? Relaxa, cachorro que late não morde.
He said he'd sue me? Relax, his bark is worse than his bite.
A common way to calm someone down over text.
A vizinha reclama de tudo, mas cachorro que late não morde.
The neighbor complains about everything, but she never actually does anything.
Explaining that the neighbor's complaints are harmless.
Olha aquele cara tentando intimidar todo mundo... cachorro que late não morde!
Look at that guy trying to intimidate everyone... all bark and no bite!
Making fun of someone trying too hard to look tough.
Não tenha medo dele, meu bem. Cachorro que late não morde.
Don't be afraid of him, honey. His bark is worse than his bite.
Using the proverb literally and figuratively to comfort someone.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the phrase.
Cachorro que late ____ morde.
The idiom requires the negative particle.
🎉 Ergebnis: /1
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
1 AufgabenCachorro que late ____ morde.
The idiom requires the negative particle.
🎉 Ergebnis: /1
Häufig gestellte Fragen
1 FragenNo, it's too informal.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Muito barulho por nada
similarMuch ado about nothing
