In 15 Sekunden
- Means being involved or still a contender in a situation.
- Derived from sports and games, implying you have a chance.
- Commonly used in business, romance, and social competition.
Bedeutung
It means you are active, involved, or still a contender in a specific situation. It's like saying you're 'in the running' or 'still in the mix' for something.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Discussing a job promotion
O chefe disse que eu ainda estou na jogada para a vaga.
The boss said I'm still in the game for the opening.
Talking about a crush
Acho que o Paulo ainda está na jogada com a Maria.
I think Paulo is still in the running with Maria.
Business competition
Nossa empresa entrou na jogada para comprar o terreno.
Our company entered the mix to buy the land.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Brazil, being 'na jogada' is often linked to 'networking'. It's not just about merit, but about being visible in the right social circles. In Portugal, the phrase is slightly more common in sports media than in daily romantic gossip compared to Brazil, but it is fully understood. In the startup scene in São Paulo, 'estar na jogada' is used to describe companies that are currently seeking or receiving investment (VC funding). The phrase is used in other Lusophone countries as well, often appearing in political contexts to describe who has power or influence.
Shorten it!
In casual Brazilian Portuguese, people almost always say 'tô na jogada' instead of 'estou na jogada'.
Gender matters
Never say 'no jogada'. It's always 'na' because 'jogada' is feminine.
In 15 Sekunden
- Means being involved or still a contender in a situation.
- Derived from sports and games, implying you have a chance.
- Commonly used in business, romance, and social competition.
What It Means
Estar na jogada is all about being a participant. It means you are part of the action. You haven't been sidelined or forgotten. It suggests you have a chance to succeed. Think of a chess match or a poker game. If you are na jogada, you still have chips. You still have a move to make. It’s a very active, positive state to be in.
How To Use It
You use it just like 'to be' in English. Conjugate estar to match who you're talking about. You can use it for people or even companies. It works for romance, business, or sports. If a friend asks if you're still dating someone, you're na jogada. If your boss is considering you for a promotion, you're na jogada.
When To Use It
Use it when discussing competition or opportunities. It’s perfect for office gossip about who might get the new project. Use it when talking to friends about someone you like. It’s great for sports commentary too. Use it when you want to sound confident and involved. It shows you know what's going on around you.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for very solemn or tragic events. You wouldn't say you're na jogada at a funeral. Avoid it in extremely formal legal documents. It’s a bit too colorful for a court of law. Also, don't use it if you are the only person involved. You need a 'game' or a 'context' for it to make sense. It implies others are involved too.
Cultural Background
Brazil is a country that loves games and sports. Football (soccer) is the obvious influence here. A jogada is a play or a move on the field. Brazilians often view life through the lens of social strategy. Being na jogada means you have social capital. It reflects a culture that values being 'in the loop'. It’s about being part of the collective energy.
Common Variations
You might hear entrar na jogada. This means 'to get involved' or 'to enter the fray'. Another one is sair da jogada. This means you've given up or been disqualified. Sometimes people just say ele é da jogada. This implies someone is 'one of us' or 'knows the ropes'. It’s all about belonging to the active group.
Nutzungshinweise
The phrase is highly versatile and safe for most social and semi-professional settings. Just remember to use the verb `estar` (temporary state) rather than `ser` (permanent trait).
Shorten it!
In casual Brazilian Portuguese, people almost always say 'tô na jogada' instead of 'estou na jogada'.
Gender matters
Never say 'no jogada'. It's always 'na' because 'jogada' is feminine.
Dating context
Using this in dating can sound a bit 'player-like', so use it carefully depending on who you're talking to!
Business use
It's a great way to show you're confident and aware of the competition during a meeting.
Beispiele
6O chefe disse que eu ainda estou na jogada para a vaga.
The boss said I'm still in the game for the opening.
Shows the person is still being considered for the position.
Acho que o Paulo ainda está na jogada com a Maria.
I think Paulo is still in the running with Maria.
Suggests Paulo still has a chance to date Maria.
Nossa empresa entrou na jogada para comprar o terreno.
Our company entered the mix to buy the land.
Uses 'entrar' to show the start of involvement.
Pode contar comigo, estou na jogada para sábado!
You can count on me, I'm in for Saturday!
Informal way to confirm attendance and enthusiasm.
Até meu gato está na jogada para ganhar o petisco.
Even my cat is in the game to get the treat.
Playfully suggests the cat is competing for food.
Não desista, você ainda está na jogada.
Don't give up, you're still in the game.
Encouraging someone who feels like they've lost.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'estar'.
Nós ______ na jogada para comprar a casa nova.
'Nós' requires the first-person plural form 'estamos'.
Which situation best fits the phrase 'estar na jogada'?
A Maria foi eliminada do concurso, mas o João...
If she was eliminated but he wasn't, he is 'ainda está na jogada' (still in the mix).
Complete the dialogue naturally.
Amigo 1: 'Você acha que a nossa empresa vai ganhar o contrato?' Amigo 2: 'Sim, com certeza ______.'
'Estamos na jogada' is the most natural idiomatic response for being a contender.
Match the sentence to the context.
Match: 'O ex dela ainda está na jogada.'
This is a classic way to talk about romantic rivals or ongoing interests.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Estar vs. Sair
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenNós ______ na jogada para comprar a casa nova.
'Nós' requires the first-person plural form 'estamos'.
A Maria foi eliminada do concurso, mas o João...
If she was eliminated but he wasn't, he is 'ainda está na jogada' (still in the mix).
Amigo 1: 'Você acha que a nossa empresa vai ganhar o contrato?' Amigo 2: 'Sim, com certeza ______.'
'Estamos na jogada' is the most natural idiomatic response for being a contender.
Match: 'O ex dela ainda está na jogada.'
This is a classic way to talk about romantic rivals or ongoing interests.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenUsually no. It's for people, companies, or entities that can 'play' or compete. You wouldn't say a book is 'na jogada'.
Not at all. It's informal and friendly, though maybe a bit too casual for a funeral or a formal court hearing.
'Estar no jogo' is more literal. 'Estar na jogada' sounds more like a native idiom for being a contender.
Yes! 'Eu estava na jogada' is very common when explaining why you didn't get something in the end.
Yes, it is widely understood and used in Portugal, though Brazilians might use it more frequently in social gossip.
Mostly, but it can also mean just being 'involved' or 'in the loop' regarding a secret or a plan.
Use 'Tô fora da jogada' or simply 'Saí da jogada'.
Yes, it's actually used literally in sports to describe a player who is still active in a specific move on the field.
It's an idiom. It's informal, but not quite 'street slang'. Most professionals use it.
The opposite is 'estar fora da jogada' (to be out of the mix).
Verwandte Redewendungen
estar no páreo
synonymTo be in the running (from horse racing).
entrar na jogada
builds onTo get involved in a situation.
sair da jogada
contrastTo be out of the mix/eliminated.
fazer uma jogada
similarTo make a move.
estar na fita
similarTo be in a good position/looking good.
