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à pressa

/ɐ ˈpɾɛ.sɐ/
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Overview

The Portuguese expression 'à pressa' is an idiomatic adverbial phrase that translates directly to 'in a hurry' or 'with haste.' It signifies a state or an action performed with urgency, speed, and often a lack of careful deliberation due to time constraints. Understanding its nuances involves examining its grammatical structure, typical contexts, and common variations.

Grammatical Structure:

  • 'a' (à): This is a contraction of the preposition 'a' (to/at) and the definite feminine singular article 'a' (the). In this context, it functions to introduce a manner or state.
  • 'pressa': This is a feminine noun meaning 'haste,' 'rush,' or 'hurry.' It originates from the Latin 'pressa,' referring to pressure or urgency.

Meaning and Usage:

'À pressa' describes how an action is carried out. It implies that the action is done quickly, often under duress or with limited time, and can sometimes suggest a sacrifice of quality for speed. It's a very common expression in everyday Portuguese and can be applied to a wide range of situations.

Common Contexts and Examples:

**Describing a hurried action:**

  • “Ele fez o trabalho à pressa para conseguir sair mais cedo.” (He did the work in a hurry to be able to leave earlier.) - Here, it highlights the speed and potential lack of thoroughness.
  • “Comemos o almoço à pressa porque tínhamos uma reunião.” (We ate lunch in a hurry because we had a meeting.) - Indicates a quick meal due to a schedule.

**Expressing the state of being in a hurry:**

  • “Estou à pressa, não posso falar agora.” (I'm in a hurry, I can't talk now.) - Directly states the speaker's urgent situation.
  • “As pessoas na cidade grande vivem sempre à pressa.” (People in the big city always live in a hurry.) - Describes a general lifestyle.

**Indicating a hurried preparation or creation:**

  • “O relatório foi escrito à pressa, por isso pode ter alguns erros.” (The report was written in a hurry, so it might have some errors.) - Implies that the speed of creation might have compromised accuracy.
  • “Preparamos tudo à pressa para a festa.” (We prepared everything in a hurry for the party.) - Suggests a quick and possibly less meticulous preparation.

Nuances and Connotations:

While 'à pressa' primarily means 'in a hurry,' it often carries a subtle connotation of less attention to detail, potential imperfection, or a feeling of being rushed. It can sometimes imply a lack of proper planning or a last-minute effort.

Synonyms and Related Expressions:

  • Com pressa: (With haste/hurry) - Very similar in meaning, often interchangeable, though 'à pressa' is slightly more idiomatic and common for actions.
  • A correr: (Running/in a rush) - Implies a physical rush or a very quick pace.
  • Depressa: (Quickly/fast) - A general adverb of speed, but doesn't carry the same idiomatic sense of being 'in a hurry' as 'à pressa.'
  • A toque de caixa: (Figuratively, at the beat of the drum/quickly and with urgency) - A more informal and stronger expression for doing something very quickly and without much warning.

Antonyms:

  • Com calma: (Calmly)
  • Com tempo: (With time/leisurely)
  • Devagar: (Slowly)

In summary, 'à pressa' is a versatile and fundamental Portuguese idiom for conveying urgency, speed, and sometimes the resulting lack of thoroughness. Its common usage in spoken and written language makes it an essential phrase for anyone learning Portuguese.

Beispiele

1

Ele fez o trabalho à pressa.

Everyday conversation

He did the work in a hurry.

Häufige Kollokationen

chegar à pressa
sair à pressa
fazer algo à pressa
comer à pressa
falar à pressa

Wird oft verwechselt mit

à pressa vs. w

80+ WORDS

Grammatikmuster

p1 p2 p3

So verwendest du es

Nutzungshinweise

The phrase 'à pressa' is an adverbial locution used to describe the manner in which an action is performed, indicating speed or urgency. It is invariable, meaning it does not change based on gender or number. It can be used with a wide range of verbs to convey a sense of hurried action. For example: * 'Ele saiu à pressa para não perder o ônibus.' (He left in a hurry so as not to miss the bus.) * 'Fizemos o trabalho à pressa e por isso ficou com alguns erros.' (We did the work in a hurry and that's why it had some errors.) * 'Por que você está sempre à pressa?' (Why are you always in a hurry?) It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. While 'com pressa' is a similar phrase, 'à pressa' often carries a slightly stronger nuance of acting with immediate and often unplanned urgency.

Häufige Fehler

The word 'à pressa' is often misused by non-native speakers. A common mistake is to use 'com pressa' instead of 'à pressa'. While both mean 'in a hurry', 'à pressa' is an idiomatic expression that is more commonly used in Portugal. Another common mistake is to confuse 'à pressa' with 'com pressa'. 'Com pressa' is a more general term that can be used in any context, while 'à pressa' is specifically used to describe someone who is doing something quickly or in a hurry. For example, you would say 'Ele comeu à pressa' (He ate in a hurry), but you would say 'Estou com pressa' (I am in a hurry). Another mistake is to use 'em pressa' instead of 'à pressa'. This is incorrect as 'em pressa' is not a recognized Portuguese expression. Additionally, some may incorrectly use 'de pressa' which also is not the correct idiomatic expression. The correct and most natural way to express 'in a hurry' in this idiomatic sense is 'à pressa'. Remember, 'à pressa' is always written with the 'à' (a with a grave accent) which is a contraction of the preposition 'a' and the feminine definite article 'a'. This accent is crucial for correct spelling and meaning. Some learners might also forget the article and just say 'pressa', which while conveying the meaning of 'haste', doesn't form the idiomatic phrase 'in a hurry' as correctly as 'à pressa'. Paying attention to these nuances will help improve fluency and accuracy when using this common Portuguese expression.

Tipps

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Use with verbs of movement:

Commonly used with verbs like 'ir' (to go), 'vir' (to come), 'correr' (to run), or 'sair' (to leave) to emphasize the speed or urgency of the action. For example: 'Ele saiu à pressa para não perder o autocarro.' (He left in a hurry so as not to miss the bus.)

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Don't confuse with 'com pressa':

While 'à pressa' and 'com pressa' both mean 'in a hurry,' 'à pressa' implies acting with haste or urgency, often resulting in less careful execution, whereas 'com pressa' simply indicates being in a hurry or having little time. For example: 'Ela fez o trabalho à pressa e cometeu alguns erros.' (She did the work in a hurry and made some mistakes.) vs. 'Estou com pressa, preciso ir.' (I'm in a hurry, I need to go.)

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Emphasizes a lack of time or carefulness:

The expression often highlights that something is done quickly due to time constraints, or without the usual attention to detail. This can sometimes carry a connotation of sloppiness or imperfection. For example: 'Jantaram à pressa antes de ir ao cinema.' (They had dinner in a hurry before going to the cinema.)

Wortherkunft

The Portuguese expression 'à pressa' translates to 'in a hurry' or 'with great haste.' Its origin can be traced back to the Latin word 'pressa,' which is the past participle feminine of 'premere,' meaning 'to press,' 'to urge,' or 'to squeeze.' Over time, 'pressa' evolved in Vulgar Latin and then into Old Portuguese, maintaining its core meaning related to urgency and speed. The construction 'à pressa' uses the preposition 'a' (meaning 'to' or 'at') combined with the feminine noun 'pressa.' This is a common structure in Portuguese and other Romance languages to form adverbial phrases indicating manner or state. The concept of 'pressing' or 'being pressed' for time naturally led to the idea of needing to do something quickly. The shift from the physical act of pressing to the abstract notion of hurried action is a linguistic development seen across various languages. Historically, the phrase would have been used in contexts where swift action was required, perhaps due to external pressure or an urgent need. The use of the feminine singular form 'pressa' suggests a generalized state of urgency rather than a specific instance of being pressed. The 'à' further solidifies this adverbial function, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. Similar constructions exist in other Romance languages, such as the Spanish 'a prisa' or the French 'à la hâte' (though 'hâte' comes from a Germanic root, the adverbial structure is comparable), highlighting a shared linguistic heritage in expressing urgency. Therefore, 'à pressa' is a direct descendant of Latin, reflecting a linguistic evolution where a word denoting physical pressure transformed into an idiom expressing the state of being hurried or acting with speed.

Kultureller Kontext

The expression 'à pressa' in Portuguese, meaning 'in a hurry' or 'with great haste,' reflects a common cultural emphasis on efficiency and punctuality, particularly in urban and professional settings. Brazil, for instance, is known for its vibrant and often fast-paced lifestyle, where people are frequently seen rushing between commitments. While 'à pressa' can sometimes imply a negative connotation of being disorganized or not taking enough time, it more often describes a pragmatic need to move quickly to accomplish tasks. This phrase is deeply embedded in everyday conversation, highlighting how speed is an integral part of navigating daily life, from commuting and work to social engagements. It subtly speaks to a society that values dynamism and responsiveness, where time is often a precious commodity.

Merkhilfe

mnemonic

Häufig gestellte Fragen

4 Fragen

'À pressa' is a Portuguese idiom that translates to 'in a hurry,' 'hastily,' or 'with great haste' in English. It describes performing an action quickly, often implying a lack of carefulness or attention due to the speed. It conveys a sense of urgency or hurriedness in the way something is done.

You can use 'à pressa' to describe an action that is done quickly. For example, 'Ele comeu o almoço à pressa' means 'He ate lunch in a hurry.' Another example: 'Eles terminaram o trabalho à pressa para ir embora' translates to 'They finished the work in great haste to leave.'

Yes, some synonyms or similar expressions in Portuguese include 'com pressa' (with haste), 'apressadamente' (hurriedly), 'rapidamente' (quickly), and 'depressa' (fast/quickly). While 'com pressa' is very close in meaning, 'à pressa' often emphasizes the manner of the action being rushed.

The phrase 'à pressa' is derived from the word 'pressa,' which means 'haste' or 'hurry.' The 'à' is a preposition that, in this context, indicates the manner or way in which something is done. It's a common construction in Portuguese to express a state or manner of action.

Teste dich selbst

fill blank

Ele saiu _____, quase tropeçando na porta.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
fill blank

Não podemos fazer este trabalho _____, precisamos de atenção aos detalhes.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
fill blank

A decisão foi tomada _____, sem muita ponderação.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

Ergebnis: /3

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