Bedeutung
To make a mistake, mess up, or do something inappropriate.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Brazil, soccer metaphors are everywhere. 'Pisar na bola' is one of the most common because it perfectly captures the 'clumsy but not evil' nature of most social mistakes. While Portuguese people understand the phrase due to Brazilian media, they might find it a bit 'slangy' or informal. They often use 'dar um prego' for a mistake. In modern Brazilian startups, this phrase is used to build a 'fail-fast' culture where admitting mistakes is encouraged. Saying 'pisei na bola' is a way to take ownership without being overly dramatic. On Twitter/X, 'pisar na bola' is often used to 'cancel' or criticize celebrities who do something insensitive or out of touch.
Use for Apologies
It's a great way to start an apology. 'Pisei na bola, desculpa' sounds more sincere and humble than a formal 'Eu errei'.
Not for Serious Crimes
Never use this for something that involves the police or serious harm. It will make you sound like you're making light of a tragedy.
Bedeutung
To make a mistake, mess up, or do something inappropriate.
Use for Apologies
It's a great way to start an apology. 'Pisei na bola, desculpa' sounds more sincere and humble than a formal 'Eu errei'.
Not for Serious Crimes
Never use this for something that involves the police or serious harm. It will make you sound like you're making light of a tragedy.
The 'Feio' Add-on
Add 'feio' (ugly) at the end to emphasize how big the mistake was: 'Pisei na bola feio!'
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'pisar na bola'.
Ontem eu _______ com a minha mãe e esqueci de ligar para ela.
The word 'Ontem' (Yesterday) indicates the past tense, so 'pisei' is the correct conjugation.
Which situation is appropriate for using 'pisar na bola'?
Choose the best context:
'Pisar na bola' is for informal, non-serious social mistakes like forgetting something for a BBQ.
Fill in the missing line in the dialogue.
João: 'Você viu que o Pedro não veio trabalhar hoje e não avisou?' Maria: 'Pois é, ele _________ com a equipe.'
Pedro let the team down by not showing up, which is a classic 'pisada na bola'.
Match the phrase variation to its meaning.
1. Pisei na bola feio. 2. Não pise na bola. 3. Ele vive pisando na bola.
'Feio' intensifies the mistake, 'Não pise' is a command/warning, and 'vive pisando' indicates frequency.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenOntem eu _______ com a minha mãe e esqueci de ligar para ela.
The word 'Ontem' (Yesterday) indicates the past tense, so 'pisei' is the correct conjugation.
Choose the best context:
'Pisar na bola' is for informal, non-serious social mistakes like forgetting something for a BBQ.
João: 'Você viu que o Pedro não veio trabalhar hoje e não avisou?' Maria: 'Pois é, ele _________ com a equipe.'
Pedro let the team down by not showing up, which is a classic 'pisada na bola'.
1. Pisei na bola feio. 2. Não pise na bola. 3. Ele vive pisando na bola.
'Feio' intensifies the mistake, 'Não pise' is a command/warning, and 'vive pisando' indicates frequency.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it's not offensive at all. It's just informal. It's a very safe idiom to use with friends.
Yes, they will understand you perfectly, but they might know you're using a Brazilian expression.
They are almost identical. 'Dar mancada' is slightly more informal/slangy, while 'pisar na bola' is more common across all age groups.
The most natural translation is 'Pisei na bola'.
Yes, if the typo caused some confusion or was embarrassing, you can say you 'pisou na bola'.
Only in casual business settings or among colleagues who are friends. Avoid it in formal presentations.
The verb conjugates normally (nós pisamos na bola), but 'bola' stays singular because the idiom refers to the specific act.
No, that's not an idiom. It must be 'bola'.
You can say 'Eu cometi um erro' or 'Eu falhei com você'.
Brazilians of all ages, especially soccer fans (which is most of the country!).
Verwandte Redewendungen
Dar mancada
synonymTo make a mistake or a social slip.
Vacilar
similarTo hesitate or be careless.
Cometer um erro
formal equivalentTo commit an error.
Marcar um gol
contrastTo succeed or do something great.
