In 15 Sekunden
- The standard way to say 'don't worry' in Portuguese.
- Used to reassure others after an apology or mistake.
- Works in both professional and casual social settings.
Bedeutung
This is the go-to way to tell someone 'don't worry' or 'no problem.' It is used to reassure people when they apologize or feel anxious about something.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6A friend arrives 10 minutes late
Não se preocupe, eu acabei de chegar também.
Don't worry, I just got here too.
A colleague misses a minor deadline
Não se preocupe com isso, podemos resolver amanhã.
Don't worry about that, we can solve it tomorrow.
Spilling a little water at a dinner party
Não se preocupe! É só água, não estragou nada.
Don't worry! It's just water, it didn't ruin anything.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Brazilians use 'Não se preocupe' or 'Não esquenta' to maintain 'clima leve' (a light atmosphere). It's often accompanied by a touch on the shoulder or a smile. In Portugal, the distinction between 'Não se preocupe' (formal) and 'Não te preocupes' (informal) is strictly observed. Using the wrong one can sound slightly off. In Luanda, you might hear 'Não se rala' as a local variation, meaning 'don't bother yourself' or 'don't worry.' Similar to Portugal, the formal/informal distinction is used, but the tone is often very soft and rhythmic.
The 'Se' Rule
Always put 'se' before 'preocupe' when you have the word 'Não'. It's a magnetic rule!
Smile while saying it
In Brazil, the tone and facial expression are 50% of the meaning. A smile makes it sincere.
In 15 Sekunden
- The standard way to say 'don't worry' in Portuguese.
- Used to reassure others after an apology or mistake.
- Works in both professional and casual social settings.
What It Means
Não se preocupe is your ultimate social safety net. It literally means 'don't worry.' It tells the other person that everything is fine. You are releasing them from guilt or stress. It is warm, helpful, and very common.
How To Use It
You use it just like the English version. Use it when someone says desculpe (sorry). Use it when a friend is stressed about a deadline. It works perfectly in spoken conversation. It also works well in emails or texts. Just drop it in to lower the tension.
When To Use It
Use it at a restaurant if the waiter is late. Use it when a friend forgets their wallet. It is great for professional emails too. If a colleague misses a call, say não se preocupe. It shows you are chill and understanding. It creates a friendly atmosphere instantly.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for very serious tragedies. If someone loses a house, it might sound too small. In those cases, use something deeper like sinto muito. Also, avoid it if you are actually angry. Saying it sarcastically can sound a bit biting. Stick to genuine moments of reassurance.
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers are generally very warm and accommodating. We hate making others feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. Não se preocupe reflects this 'everything will be okay' attitude. It is part of the famous Brazilian 'jeitinho' or Portuguese hospitality. It is about keeping the social peace.
Common Variations
You will often hear não esquenta in Brazil. That is the very informal 'don't sweat it.' In Portugal, you might hear não se rale. If you are talking to a close friend, use não te preocupes. The 'se' changes to 'te' for that extra layer of intimacy. It is like a verbal hug.
Nutzungshinweise
The phrase is highly versatile. In Brazil, the grammar often shifts to `não se preocupa` in casual speech, while Portugal maintains `não te preocupes` for friends.
The 'Se' Rule
Always put 'se' before 'preocupe' when you have the word 'Não'. It's a magnetic rule!
Smile while saying it
In Brazil, the tone and facial expression are 50% of the meaning. A smile makes it sincere.
Portugal vs Brazil
If you are in Lisbon, use 'Não te preocupes' with friends to avoid sounding like a textbook.
Beispiele
6Não se preocupe, eu acabei de chegar também.
Don't worry, I just got here too.
A classic 'white lie' to make a friend feel better.
Não se preocupe com isso, podemos resolver amanhã.
Don't worry about that, we can solve it tomorrow.
Professional yet forgiving tone.
Não se preocupe! É só água, não estragou nada.
Don't worry! It's just water, it didn't ruin anything.
Used to minimize a clumsy mistake.
Não se preocupe, amor. Eu compro no caminho de casa.
Don't worry, love. I'll buy it on the way home.
Sweet and helpful in a relationship context.
Já disse: não se preocupe! Está tudo bem.
I already said: don't worry! Everything is fine.
Reiterating the point to stop the other person's anxiety.
Não se preocupe, acontece com os melhores!
Don't worry, it happens to the best of us!
Adding a little humor to ease the waiter's embarrassment.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct reflexive pronoun and verb form.
Desculpe pelo erro! — Não ___ ___________ (preocupar-se).
In a neutral/formal context (você), we use 'se' and the subjunctive 'preocupe'.
Which variation is the most informal and common in Brazil?
Someone spilled water and is apologizing. You want to be very casual.
'Não esquenta' is the most informal Brazilian slang for this situation.
Match the response to the situation.
Situation: A friend is nervous about a job interview.
This is the 'comforting' sense of the phrase.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Esqueci de trazer o seu livro!' B: '__________, eu posso pegar amanhã.'
The context requires a reassurance for a minor mistake.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenDesculpe pelo erro! — Não ___ ___________ (preocupar-se).
In a neutral/formal context (você), we use 'se' and the subjunctive 'preocupe'.
Someone spilled water and is apologizing. You want to be very casual.
'Não esquenta' is the most informal Brazilian slang for this situation.
Situation: A friend is nervous about a job interview.
This is the 'comforting' sense of the phrase.
A: 'Esqueci de trazer o seu livro!' B: '__________, eu posso pegar amanhã.'
The context requires a reassurance for a minor mistake.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt's common in very informal Brazilian speech, but it's better to include the 'se' to be grammatically correct.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or a stranger.
'Não esquenta' is slang (don't sweat it), while 'Não se preocupe' is standard.
You say 'Não se preocupe com isso'.
Because it's the imperative mood, which uses the subjunctive form for 'você'.
No, that would be insensitive. Use 'Meus pêsames' or 'Sinto muito'.
Yes, but 'Não te preocupes' is more common among friends.
It literally means 'Do not preoccupy yourself'.
Yes! Just add an 'm' at the end for plural.
Yes, it's very common in professional emails to reassure clients or colleagues.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Não esquenta
synonymDon't sweat it / Don't get heated.
Fica tranquilo
similarStay calm.
Sem problemas
synonymNo problems.
Deixa para lá
similarLet it go / Never mind.
Relaxa
synonymRelax.
Tudo bem
similarIt's all good.
