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A1 adverb #500 am häufigsten 11 Min. Lesezeit

quase

Top 500

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Erklärung quase in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'quase' is a vital tool for expressing that something is 'almost' happening or 'nearly' finished. Beginners use it most frequently with time and simple adjectives. For example, 'quase pronto' (almost ready) is a phrase you will use daily. It helps you manage expectations when you are learning to communicate basic needs and states. You will also use it to talk about time, such as 'quase meio-dia' (almost noon). At this stage, you should focus on its placement directly before the word it modifies. It is a stable, unchanging word, which makes it very friendly for new learners. You don't have to worry about masculine or feminine forms. Just remember: if you are close to a goal but not quite there, 'quase' is your best friend. It allows you to be more precise than just saying 'yes' or 'no'. For instance, if someone asks if you speak Portuguese, you can say 'Quase!' to indicate you are learning and getting close to being able to hold a conversation. This level of nuance is very encouraging for early learners.

As you progress to A2, you will start using 'quase' to describe frequency and quantity in more detail. You will learn to pair it with 'sempre' (always) and 'nunca' (never) to create phrases like 'quase sempre' (almost always) and 'quase nunca' (almost never). This is essential for describing your routine and habits. You will also use 'quase' with larger numbers and measurements, such as 'quase dois quilos' (almost two kilos) or 'quase cem euros' (almost a hundred euros). At this level, you might also start noticing the 'quase que' construction in spoken Portuguese, especially in Brazil. You should understand that the 'que' is often optional but adds a natural flow to the sentence. You will also use 'quase' to describe near-misses in the past tense, like 'quase perdi o ônibus' (I almost missed the bus). This helps you tell simple stories about your day and the little things that happened. It's about adding a layer of 'nearly' to your descriptions of actions and events.

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At the B1 level, you will use 'quase' to express more complex ideas and emotional states. You will use it in hypothetical or counterfactual situations, such as 'Eu quase teria ido se tivesse tempo' (I almost would have gone if I had time). You will also start using it with abstract concepts, like 'quase impossível' (almost impossible) or 'quase certo' (almost certain). At this stage, you should be comfortable using 'quase' in negative sentences to mean 'hardly' or 'barely', such as 'quase não vi' (I hardly saw it). This requires a bit more coordination with the word 'não'. You will also encounter 'quase' in more idiomatic expressions and common collocations. For example, 'quase nada' (almost nothing) and 'quase ninguém' (almost no one) become part of your regular vocabulary. You are moving beyond simple descriptions and starting to use 'quase' to qualify your opinions and observations about the world around you. It becomes a tool for expressing nuance in your arguments and discussions.

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At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of the nuances between 'quase' and its synonyms like 'praticamente' or 'por pouco'. You will use 'quase' to add emphasis and rhetorical flair to your speech. For example, using 'quase' in hyperbolic statements like 'quase morri de rir' (I almost died laughing) shows a high level of cultural and linguistic competence. You will also be able to use 'quase' in more complex sentence structures, including those with subordinate clauses. You might use it to describe gradual changes, such as 'A situação está quase se resolvendo' (The situation is almost resolving itself). At this level, you should also be aware of the subtle differences in how 'quase' is used in different Portuguese-speaking regions. You will use it to refine your descriptions in professional and academic contexts, ensuring that your estimates and qualifications are accurate. It's about using the word with total confidence in both formal and informal settings, recognizing when a more formal alternative like 'aproximadamente' might be more appropriate.

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At the C1 level, you will explore the literary and philosophical uses of 'quase'. You will see how authors use 'quase' to create a sense of ambiguity or to describe states of being that are difficult to define. The word can be used to modify entire concepts, such as 'uma quase-vitória' (an almost-victory), where it acts almost like a prefix. You will understand the poetic weight of 'quase' in Fado lyrics or Brazilian MPB, where it often represents the longing for something that was just out of reach. Your use of 'quase' will be sophisticated, using it to hedge your statements in complex debates or to provide precise qualifications in technical writing. You will also be sensitive to the rhythmic role of 'quase' in speech, using it to pace your delivery and add emphasis where needed. You are no longer just using the word to mean 'almost'; you are using it to navigate the subtle spaces between absolute truths and relative realities.

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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'quase' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You understand the deepest etymological roots of the word and how it has evolved in the Portuguese language. You can use 'quase' in highly specialized contexts, such as legal or scientific discourse, where the distinction between 'quase' and 'exatamente' can have significant implications. You are also able to play with the word creatively, perhaps using it in wordplay or complex puns. You understand the philosophical implications of the 'quase'—the idea of the 'asymptote' in human experience. You can analyze the use of 'quase' in the works of great Lusophone writers like Fernando Pessoa or Machado de Assis, recognizing how it contributes to their unique styles. For you, 'quase' is not just an adverb; it is a versatile instrument that you can play with precision and artistry to express the most delicate nuances of thought and feeling.

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quase in 30 Sekunden

Quase means almost or nearly in English and is used to show proximity to a state or action.
It is an adverb, meaning it never changes its form for gender or number agreement.
Commonly used with time, numbers, adjectives, and verbs to indicate something is close to completion.
Essential phrases include 'quase sempre' (almost always) and 'quase nunca' (almost never) for frequency.

The Portuguese word quase is a fundamental adverb that translates most directly to the English word almost or nearly. In the linguistic landscape of Portuguese, it serves as a bridge between a state of non-existence and completion. It indicates that a threshold has been approached but not quite crossed. Whether you are talking about time, quantity, or the completion of an action, quase is your primary tool for expressing proximity. It is one of the most frequently used words in daily conversation because humans constantly find themselves in states of transition—being almost ready, almost finished, or almost there.

Proximity to Completion: When an action is on the verge of being finished, quase is used. For example, Quase terminei o meu trabalho means 'I have almost finished my work'.

O jantar está quase pronto, só faltam cinco minutos.

Beyond simple completion, quase is essential for expressing frequency when paired with words like sempre (always) or nunca (never). Quase sempre means 'almost always', while quase nunca means 'almost never' or 'hardly ever'. This allows for a level of precision in describing habits that a simple 'often' or 'rarely' might not capture. In Brazil and Portugal alike, you will hear this word in every social context, from a formal business meeting discussing a project that is quase concluído to a casual football match where a shot quase entrou (almost went in).

Quantity and Measurement: It is used to estimate numbers. Havia quase cem pessoas na festa translates to 'There were almost a hundred people at the party'.

Eu esperei por quase uma hora na fila do banco.

The word carries an emotional weight in certain contexts. To say quase morri de susto (I almost died of fright) uses the adverb to emphasize the intensity of an experience. It suggests that while the event didn't actually happen, the proximity to it was so close that it felt real. This hyperbolic use is very common in colloquial Portuguese. Furthermore, quase functions as a modifier for adjectives, such as quase impossível (almost impossible) or quase certo (almost certain), helping to temper the absolute nature of the adjective it precedes.

Temporal Proximity: It indicates that a specific time is approaching. São quase duas horas means 'It is almost two o'clock'.

Estamos quase chegando ao destino final da viagem.

Ela quase caiu enquanto corria para o ônibus.

O projeto está quase no fim, precisamos apenas revisar.

Using quase in a sentence is relatively straightforward because its placement mirrors that of 'almost' in English. It typically precedes the verb, adjective, or adverb it is modifying. However, there are nuances in Portuguese syntax that can make its use more expressive. For instance, when used with verbs in the past tense, it often implies a narrow escape or a near-miss. Eu quase esqueci (I almost forgot) places the emphasis on the fact that the forgetting was imminent but avoided at the last second.

Before Verbs: In most cases, quase comes directly before the conjugated verb. Example: Nós quase ganhamos o jogo (We almost won the game).

Eu quase perdi a chave de casa ontem à noite.

When modifying an adjective, quase functions to soften the intensity or to show that a state is nearly reached. If you say someone is quase rico (almost rich), you are positioning them on the threshold of wealth. This is particularly useful in descriptions where absolute terms would be inaccurate. It is also common to see quase used with prepositional phrases, such as quase de certeza (almost for sure) or quase sem querer (almost without meaning to/accidentally).

Before Adjectives: It qualifies the adjective. Example: Esta tarefa é quase impossível de terminar hoje (This task is almost impossible to finish today).

A água da piscina está quase gelada, não quero entrar.

One interesting construction is quase que. While quase can often stand alone, adding que can add a rhythmic or emphatic quality to the sentence, particularly in Brazil. For example, Quase que eu caí is a very natural way to say 'I almost fell'. The que here doesn't change the fundamental meaning but acts as a structural filler that is very common in spoken Portuguese. It's important to recognize this so you aren't confused when you hear the extra syllable.

With Numbers and Time: It precedes the number or time expression. Example: Já são quase dez horas da noite (It is already almost ten o'clock at night).

O ingresso para o show custou quase duzentos reais.

Não sobrou quase nada do bolo que eu fiz para a festa.

Eu quase nunca vou ao cinema durante a semana.

The word quase is ubiquitous in the Portuguese-speaking world. You will hear it in the frantic commentary of a football match when the ball hits the post—the commentator will scream 'Quase!' to express the collective gasp of the crowd. It is the sound of missed opportunity and high tension. In the domestic sphere, you hear it when a mother tells her children that lunch is quase pronto, a phrase that often buys another ten minutes of playtime. It is a word of negotiation and expectation.

In Sports Commentary: Used to describe near-misses. O remate passou quase raspando a trave (The shot passed almost grazing the post).

Quase! Foi por muito pouco que ele não marcou o golo!

In professional environments, quase is used to manage expectations during project updates. A manager might say a report is quase terminado to signal that while it isn't ready for review yet, the end is in sight. It is also found in news headlines to describe narrow escapes or close elections: Candidato vence com quase 50% dos votos. In literature and music, quase often carries a more melancholic tone, representing the 'almost' that never was—the love that almost happened or the dream that was almost realized.

In Daily Errands: Used when checking progress. A bateria do meu telemóvel está quase no fim (My phone battery is almost at the end).

Estamos quase chegando na sua casa, abra o portão.

In the world of technology and GPS, the voice will often say Você está quase no seu destino. In shopping, you might hear a salesperson say Este é quase o último par to create a sense of urgency. It is a word that exists in the space of 'just a little bit more'. Whether it's the frustration of a quase acidente (near accident) or the excitement of being quase de férias (almost on vacation), the word is a constant companion in the rhythmic flow of Portuguese life.

In Social Interactions: Used to describe habits. Eu quase nunca bebo café depois das seis (I almost never drink coffee after six).

Ela quase sempre traz um presente quando nos visita.

O filme foi tão triste que eu quase chorei no cinema.

Já li quase todas as páginas deste livro maravilhoso.

While quase is generally easy for English speakers to use, there are several pitfalls that can lead to unnatural-sounding Portuguese. The most common mistake is the confusion between quase and apenas (only/just). While in English 'just' can sometimes mean 'nearly' (e.g., 'I just about finished'), in Portuguese, apenas strictly means 'only'. You cannot use apenas to mean 'almost'. Always stick to quase when you mean that something is near completion but not yet there.

The 'Que' Confusion: Learners often wonder when to use quase que versus just quase. While quase que is common in speech, especially with verbs, using it with adjectives like quase que pronto is incorrect. It should be quase pronto.

Errado: O carro é quase que novo. Correto: O carro é quase novo.

Another mistake involves the placement of quase in negative sentences. In English, we might say 'I almost didn't see you'. A direct translation would be Eu quase não te vi. However, learners sometimes misplace the não. The word quase should modify the negative action. If you say Não quase te vi, it makes no sense in Portuguese. The structure quase não is a very common way to express 'hardly' or 'barely'. For example, Eu quase não durmo means 'I hardly ever sleep'.

Agreement Errors: Because quase looks like it could be an adjective, some beginners try to make it plural (quases) or feminine. Remember: quase is an adverb and never changes.

Errado: As quases dez horas. Correto: Quase dez horas.

Finally, be careful with the phrase quase nada. In English, we say 'almost nothing'. In Portuguese, you must include the double negative if a verb is present: Eu não comi quase nada. If you just say Eu comi quase nada, it is grammatically acceptable in some informal Brazilian dialects but technically requires the não for standard grammar. Understanding these small structural requirements will make your Portuguese sound much more natural and fluent.

Confusion with 'Perto': Perto means 'near' in a physical sense. You cannot say Estou perto de terminar as a direct replacement for Estou quase terminando, though they are similar. Quase is more about the degree of completion.

Eu quase me esqueci de te ligar hoje de manhã.

Não há quase ninguém na rua a esta hora da noite.

Ele quase sempre chega atrasado para as reuniões.

To enrich your Portuguese vocabulary, it is helpful to know words that are similar to quase but offer different shades of meaning. While quase is the most versatile, other terms can provide more precision depending on whether you are talking about numbers, time, or physical proximity. Understanding these alternatives will help you move from a basic level of Portuguese to a more nuanced, native-like fluency.

Praticamente (Practically): This is a very common synonym for quase, used when something is so close to being true that for all practical purposes, it is. O trabalho está praticamente feito.

Nós praticamente moramos no escritório ultimamente.

When dealing with numbers or statistics, aproximadamente (approximately) or cerca de (about/around) are more formal and precise than quase. While quase cem implies you haven't reached a hundred yet, cerca de cem could mean slightly more or slightly less than a hundred. Another great idiomatic expression is por um triz, which is used specifically for very narrow escapes, similar to 'by a hair' or 'within an inch'.

Por pouco (By a little): Often used as an exclamation. Por pouco eu não perdi o trem! (I almost missed the train!).

Foi por pouco que o vaso não caiu da mesa.

In more literary or formal contexts, you might encounter quase que totalmente or prestes a. The phrase prestes a is specifically used for time and means 'on the verge of' or 'about to'. For example, Estou prestes a sair (I am about to leave) is more specific than Estou quase saindo. Lastly, mal can sometimes be used as an opposite in terms of frequency; while quase nunca is 'almost never', mal can mean 'barely' (e.g., Eu mal tive tempo - I barely had time).

Cerca de (Around/About): Used for quantities. O evento reuniu cerca de mil pessoas (The event gathered around a thousand people).

Ele está prestes a completar trinta anos de idade.

O resultado foi quase o mesmo do ano passado.

Ela quase sempre prefere chá em vez de café.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The word 'quase' is a cognate of the English word 'quasi', which we use as a prefix (e.g., quasi-official). While 'quase' is a common adverb in Portuguese, its English cousin is much more formal.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ˈkwazi/

US /ˈkwazi/

The stress is on the first syllable: QUA-se.

Reimt sich auf

base fase frase crase ênfase metástase paráfrase perífrase

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 's' as a sharp 's' instead of a 'z' sound.
Making the final 'e' too long like 'ee' in 'bee'.
In Portugal, the final 'e' is often almost silent (quaz).
Pronouncing the 'qu' as 'k' (like in French) instead of 'kw'.
Over-nasalizing the 'a'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 1/5

Very easy to recognize and understand in text as it usually precedes the word it modifies.

Schreiben 1/5

Simple to spell and its placement is logical for English speakers.

Sprechen 2/5

Requires some practice with the 'z' sound of the 's' and the optional 'que' in conversation.

Hören 2/5

In fast speech, especially in Portugal, the final 'e' can disappear, making it sound like 'quaz'.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

pronto sempre nunca nada chegar

Als Nächstes lernen

apenas somente praticamente aproximadamente mal

Fortgeschritten

prestes a por um triz por pouco quase-que

Wichtige Grammatik

Adverbial Invariability

As meninas estão quase prontas (not 'quases').

Placement before modified word

Ele quase caiu (not 'Ele caiu quase').

Double Negatives with Quase

Eu não vi quase ninguém (requires 'não' before the verb).

Quase que + Verb

Quase que eu perdi a chave (common in spoken Portuguese).

Quase a + Infinitive (Portugal)

Estou quase a sair (equivalent to 'quase saindo').

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Beispiele nach Niveau

O café está quase pronto.

The coffee is almost ready.

'Quase' modifies the adjective 'pronto'.

São quase nove horas.

It is almost nine o'clock.

Used with time expressions.

Eu quase terminei a lição.

I almost finished the lesson.

Placed before the verb 'terminei'.

Ele tem quase dez anos.

He is almost ten years old.

Used to estimate age.

Estamos quase chegando.

We are almost arriving.

Used with the gerund 'chegando'.

Quase esqueci minha bolsa!

I almost forgot my bag!

Expresses a near-miss action.

A sopa está quase fria.

The soup is almost cold.

Modifies the adjective 'fria'.

Quase não há açúcar.

There is almost no sugar.

'Quase não' means 'hardly any'.

Eu quase sempre como pão no café da manhã.

I almost always eat bread for breakfast.

'Quase sempre' expresses high frequency.

Nós quase nunca vamos ao parque no inverno.

We almost never go to the park in winter.

'Quase nunca' expresses low frequency.

Havia quase cinquenta pessoas na reunião.

There were almost fifty people at the meeting.

Used with a specific number.

Quase que eu caí na escada!

I almost fell on the stairs!

The 'que' adds emphasis in spoken Portuguese.

Ela quase não fala português ainda.

She hardly speaks Portuguese yet.

'Quase não' used to mean 'hardly'.

O filme durou quase três horas.

The movie lasted almost three hours.

Used for duration.

Quase todos os alunos passaram na prova.

Almost all the students passed the test.

'Quase todos' means 'nearly all'.

Eu quase perdi o meu voo hoje cedo.

I almost missed my flight early today.

Describes a near-miss event.

É quase impossível terminar isso hoje.

It is almost impossible to finish this today.

Modifies an abstract adjective.

Eu não entendi quase nada do que ele disse.

I understood almost nothing of what he said.

'Quase nada' used with a negative verb.

Quase que me esqueci do seu aniversário!

I almost forgot your birthday!

Emphatic use of 'quase que'.

O projeto está quase na fase final.

The project is almost in the final phase.

Used with a prepositional phrase.

Ele quase chorou quando ouviu a notícia.

He almost cried when he heard the news.

Describes an emotional near-reaction.

Quase ninguém apareceu na festa de ontem.

Almost no one showed up at the party yesterday.

'Quase ninguém' means 'hardly anyone'.

A comida estava quase sem sal nenhum.

The food was almost without any salt.

Modifies a prepositional phrase of lack.

Eu quase tive um ataque do coração com o susto.

I almost had a heart attack from the fright.

Hyperbolic use for emphasis.

O sucesso foi quase inteiramente devido ao seu esforço.

The success was almost entirely due to your effort.

Modifies another adverb 'inteiramente'.

Quase que por milagre, ninguém se feriu no acidente.

Almost as if by a miracle, no one was hurt in the accident.

Used in a complex prepositional structure.

A empresa detém quase o monopólio deste mercado.

The company holds almost a monopoly on this market.

Modifies a noun phrase.

Eu quase não reconheci você com esse novo corte de cabelo.

I almost didn't recognize you with that new haircut.

'Quase não' used for a near-failure of recognition.

As duas propostas são quase idênticas em termos de custo.

The two proposals are almost identical in terms of cost.

Used for comparison.

Quase sempre que chove, o trânsito fica caótico.

Almost every time it rains, traffic becomes chaotic.

Used with a temporal conjunction.

O autor quase não menciona a influência de outros escritores.

The author hardly mentions the influence of other writers.

Used to describe a lack of action.

Estamos quase a atingir a meta de vendas do mês.

We are almost reaching the sales goal for the month.

European Portuguese structure 'quase a + infinitive'.

Houve uma quase unanimidade na decisão do conselho.

There was a near unanimity in the board's decision.

Used as a prefix-like modifier for a noun.

A sua voz era um quase sussurro, difícil de captar.

Her voice was a near whisper, difficult to catch.

Literary use modifying a noun.

O silêncio era quase absoluto, interrompido apenas pelo vento.

The silence was almost absolute, interrupted only by the wind.

Modifies an absolute adjective for poetic effect.

Quase que se pode sentir a tensão no ar nesta sala.

One can almost feel the tension in the air in this room.

Impersonal 'se' construction with 'quase que'.

A descoberta foi quase acidental, durante uma experiência de rotina.

The discovery was almost accidental, during a routine experiment.

Modifies an adjective in a formal context.

Ele vive num estado de quase constante melancolia.

He lives in a state of almost constant melancholy.

Modifies a compound adjectival phrase.

A fronteira entre o real e o imaginário é, por vezes, quase impercetível.

The border between the real and the imaginary is, at times, almost imperceptible.

Philosophical/abstract usage.

O projeto foi cancelado quando estava quase a ser implementado.

The project was canceled when it was almost about to be implemented.

Temporal proximity in a complex passive structure.

A obra de Pessoa é percorrida por um sentimento de quase-ausência.

Pessoa's work is permeated by a feeling of near-absence.

Noun-adverb compound in literary analysis.

O quase é, nesta narrativa, mais importante do que o acontecimento em si.

The 'almost' is, in this narrative, more important than the event itself.

Substantivization of the adverb 'quase'.

A precisão matemática é tal que o erro é quase inexistente.

The mathematical precision is such that the error is almost non-existent.

Used in high-level technical/scientific discourse.

Vivemos numa era de quase-verdades e desinformação constante.

We live in an era of near-truths and constant misinformation.

Compound noun indicating partiality.

A sua retórica baseia-se numa quase total negação dos factos.

His rhetoric is based on an almost total denial of the facts.

Modifies a complex noun phrase.

O limiar da dor é uma experiência quase subjetiva por definição.

The threshold of pain is an almost subjective experience by definition.

Qualifies a philosophical definition.

A harmonia da peça reside na sua quase imperfeição deliberada.

The harmony of the piece resides in its almost deliberate imperfection.

Paradoxical usage in aesthetic criticism.

O que nos define é, muitas vezes, o que quase fomos e não chegámos a ser.

What defines us is, often, what we almost were and did not manage to be.

Used in a complex existential reflection.

Häufige Kollokationen

quase pronto

quase sempre

quase nunca

quase nada

quase ninguém

quase impossível

quase certo

quase todos

quase morri

quase lá

Häufige Phrasen

Quase!

— Used as an exclamation when something nearly happened, like a goal in soccer.

Quase! A bola bateu na trave.

Quase que...

— Used to introduce a near-miss event, often for emphasis.

Quase que eu perco a hora hoje.

Por quase nada

— Used to describe something that was bought very cheaply or a small difference.

Comprei esta camisa por quase nada na promoção.

Quase de certeza

— Used to express a high degree of probability.

Vou à festa, quase de certeza.

Quase sem querer

— Used to describe an action that was nearly accidental.

Fiz o comentário quase sem querer.

Estar quase a

— Used in Portugal to say someone is about to do something.

Estou quase a terminar o jantar.

Quase tudo

— Used to mean nearly everything.

Eu já arrumei quase tudo na mala.

Quase o dobro

— Used to compare quantities that are nearly twice as much.

Este carro custa quase o dobro do outro.

Quase na hora

— Used to say it is nearly time for something.

Está quase na hora de irmos embora.

Quase no fim

— Used to say something is nearing its conclusion.

O filme está quase no fim.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

quase vs apenas

Apenas means 'only' or 'just'. You cannot use it to mean 'almost'.

quase vs perto

Perto means 'near' physically. Quase means 'nearly' in terms of state or completion.

quase vs mal

Mal can mean 'barely', which is similar to 'quase não', but used differently in sentences.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Quase que o gato lhe comeu a língua"

— Used when someone is very quiet or refuses to speak.

O que foi? Quase que o gato lhe comeu a língua?

informal

"Quase a dar o berro"

— Used in Portugal to mean something is about to break or someone is about to die/fail.

O meu computador antigo está quase a dar o berro.

informal

"Quase a estourar"

— Used when someone is very angry or a situation is about to explode.

Ele estava quase a estourar de tanta raiva.

informal

"Quase de graça"

— Used when something is extremely cheap.

Estes sapatos foram quase de graça.

neutral

"Quase um nada"

— Used to describe something very insignificant.

A diferença de preço é quase um nada.

informal

"Quase morri de rir"

— Used when something is extremely funny.

Aquela piada foi ótima, quase morri de rir.

informal

"Quase que não conta"

— Used when an achievement was so small it barely matters.

Ele ganhou, mas por uma margem que quase que não conta.

informal

"Quase no ponto"

— Used in cooking to mean something is nearly perfectly cooked.

A carne está quase no ponto, mais dois minutos e pronto.

neutral

"Quase um crime"

— Used hyperbolically to describe something very unfair or wasteful.

Deitar fora esta comida é quase um crime.

informal

"Quase que jurei"

— Used when someone is very certain about a memory that might be wrong.

Quase que jurei que tinha deixado a chave aqui.

informal

Leicht verwechselbar

quase vs apenas

In English, 'just' can mean both 'only' and 'nearly'.

Apenas is strictly 'only'. Quase is strictly 'almost'. You cannot say 'I apenas finished' to mean you are almost done.

Eu tenho apenas um real (I only have one real). Eu tenho quase um real (I almost have one real).

quase vs perto

Both relate to proximity.

Perto is used for physical distance. Quase is used for the degree of an action or state.

Moro perto daqui (I live near here). Quase moro aqui (I almost live here/I spend so much time here).

quase vs mal

Both can translate to 'barely'.

Mal suggests difficulty or a very small margin. Quase não is a more neutral way to say hardly.

Eu mal consigo ver (I can barely see). Eu quase não vejo (I hardly see).

quase vs cerca de

Both are used for estimates.

Cerca de is 'around' (could be more or less). Quase is 'almost' (approaching but less than).

Cerca de dez pessoas (Around ten). Quase dez pessoas (Almost ten, so 8 or 9).

quase vs prestes a

Both indicate something is about to happen.

Prestes a is more formal and specific to time. Quase is more general.

Estou prestes a sair (I am on the verge of leaving). Estou quase saindo (I am almost leaving).

Satzmuster

[Subject] + está quase + [adjective].

O almoço está quase pronto.

São quase + [time].

São quase dez horas.

[Subject] + quase sempre + [verb].

Eu quase sempre estudo à noite.

[Subject] + quase + [verb in past].

Eu quase perdi o ônibus.

É quase impossível + [infinitive].

É quase impossível ler tudo isso.

Não + [verb] + quase nada.

Não entendi quase nada.

Quase que + [subject] + [verb].

Quase que nós chegamos atrasados.

Um(a) quase + [noun].

Foi uma quase vitória para o time.

Wortfamilie

Verwandt

quasi- (prefix)

aproximadamente

perto

quase-contrato

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Extremely high in all domains of the Portuguese language.

Häufige Fehler

Eu apenas terminei. → Eu quase terminei.
Using 'apenas' (only) to mean 'almost' is a common error for English speakers because 'just' can mean both in English.
As quases dez horas. → Quase dez horas.
Attempting to make 'quase' plural to match 'horas'. Adverbs never change their form.
Não vi quase ninguém. → Eu não vi quase ninguém.
Forgetting the 'não' before the verb when using 'quase ninguém' or 'quase nada'.
O bolo está quase que pronto. → O bolo está quase pronto.
Using 'quase que' with an adjective. 'Quase que' is generally only used with verbs.
Estou perto de terminar. → Estou quase terminando.
Using 'perto de' (near to) instead of 'quase' to describe the completion of a task.

Tipps

Invariable Adverb

Never try to pluralize 'quase'. It stays the same whether you are talking about one thing or a thousand things. This makes it one of the easiest words to use correctly.

The 'Z' Sound

The 's' in 'quase' is between two vowels, so it is always pronounced like a 'z'. Make sure to voice it clearly to sound like a native speaker.

European Portuguese Ending

If you are in Portugal, 'quase' might sound like 'quaz' because they often drop the final unstressed vowel. Don't let this confuse you!

Quase Sempre vs. Quase Nunca

Master these two phrases early on. They are the most natural way to express 'almost always' and 'hardly ever' in Portuguese.

Avoid 'Quase Que' in Essays

While 'quase que' is great for chatting with friends, stick to 'quase' in your written assignments to maintain a more professional tone.

Football 'Quase'

If you watch a soccer match in Portuguese, listen for the commentator shouting 'Quase!'. It's a great way to hear the word used with pure emotion.

Quase Nada

Use 'quase nada' to describe something very cheap or a very small amount. It's a very common and useful idiomatic expression.

The 'QU' Sound

The 'qu' in Portuguese 'quase' is pronounced like 'kw', just like in the English word 'quantity'. Don't pronounce it like a 'k'.

Quase Lá

Use 'quase lá' whenever you want to say 'almost there'. It works for physical destinations and for finishing tasks.

Not 'Perto de'

Don't confuse 'quase' with 'perto de'. Use 'quase' for actions and states, and 'perto de' for physical locations.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of the word 'QUASI' in English. They sound almost the same and mean almost the same thing! 'Quase' is 'quasi-finished'.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a runner inches away from the finish line. They are 'quase' there. Visualize the gap between their foot and the line.

Word Web

quase sempre quase nunca quase nada quase ninguém quase pronto quase lá quase tudo quase impossível

Herausforderung

Try to use 'quase' in three different ways today: once for time, once for a habit (frequency), and once for a task you are working on.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Latin word 'quasi', which is a combination of 'quam' (as) and 'si' (if). It has been part of the Portuguese language since its early development from Vulgar Latin.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: The original Latin meaning was 'as if' or 'just as', which evolved into the sense of 'nearly' or 'almost' in Romance languages.

Indo-European, Italic, Romance, West Iberian, Portuguese.

Kultureller Kontext

There are no major sensitivities, but be aware that 'quase' can sometimes sound like an excuse if overused in professional settings.

English speakers often use 'just about' or 'nearly' in the same way, but 'quase' is much more common and versatile in Portuguese.

The song 'Quase' by Brazilian singer Cazuza. The poem 'Quase' often attributed to Paulo Coelho (though authorship is debated). The frequent use of 'Quase!' by sports commentators like Galvão Bueno.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Time and Appointments

São quase duas horas.
Está quase na hora.
Quase me atrasei.
Cheguei quase agora.

Cooking and Dining

Está quase pronto.
Quase sem sal.
Não comi quase nada.
Quase queimei o arroz.

Travel and Directions

Estamos quase lá.
Quase chegando.
Falta quase um quilômetro.
Quase perdi o trem.

Work and Projects

Quase terminado.
Quase impossível de fazer.
Quase todos concordaram.
Quase não tive tempo.

Sports and Games

Quase golo!
Quase ganhamos.
Foi por quase nada.
Quase bati o recorde.

Gesprächseinstiege

"Você já está quase pronto para sair de casa?"

"Você quase sempre viaja nas férias de verão?"

"O que você quase esqueceu de fazer hoje de manhã?"

"Você acha que é quase impossível aprender uma língua nova sozinho?"

"Você já quase ganhou um prêmio importante na sua vida?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Escreva sobre uma vez que você quase viajou para um lugar diferente.

Descreva um projeto que está quase pronto e o que falta fazer.

Pense em um hábito que você quase sempre mantém durante a semana.

Escreva sobre um susto que você levou e quase morreu de medo.

Reflita sobre algo que você quase comprou, mas desistiu no último momento.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, 'quase' is an adverb. In Portuguese, adverbs are invariable, meaning they never change their form to match gender or number. You would say 'quase dez horas' and 'quase um minuto' using the same word.

In most cases, they are interchangeable. 'Quase que' is more common in spoken, informal Portuguese, especially when followed by a verb. It adds a bit of emphasis or rhythmic filler. In formal writing, it is better to use just 'quase'.

You say 'quase nunca'. For example, 'Eu quase nunca bebo refrigerante' means 'I almost never drink soda' or 'I hardly ever drink soda'.

It almost always comes before the verb it modifies. For example, 'Eu quase caí' (I almost fell). Placing it after the verb is rare and usually changes the emphasis or sounds unnatural.

Yes, you can use it with nouns to show proximity to a concept. For example, 'Ele é quase um gênio' (He is almost a genius) or 'Foi quase um golo' (It was almost a goal).

The meaning is the same, but the pronunciation differs. In Portugal, the final 'e' is very short or silent. In Brazil, it is often pronounced like a soft 'i'. Also, Portugal uses 'quase a + infinitive' (quase a chegar) while Brazil uses 'quase + gerund' (quase chegando).

You say 'quase nada'. If you are using it with a verb, remember the double negative: 'Eu não fiz quase nada hoje' (I did almost nothing today).

Only in the sense of 'nearly'. It cannot mean 'just' in the sense of 'only' (apenas) or 'recently' (acabar de). For 'I just arrived', you use 'Acabei de chegar', not 'Quase cheguei'.

It is neutral and can be used in any context, from the most formal academic paper to the most casual conversation on the street.

In business contexts, 'praticamente' or 'aproximadamente' are often used to sound more precise or professional, though 'quase' is still perfectly acceptable.

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