B1 Collocation Neutral 3 min de lectura

dar aula

to teach

Literalmente: to give class

En 15 segundos

  • Standard way to say 'to teach' in any professional context.
  • Common slang for performing a task with expert skill.
  • Literally translates to 'giving class' rather than 'teaching class'.

Significado

While it literally means 'to give class,' it's the standard way to say you are teaching a lesson or working as a teacher. It's also a popular slang used to praise someone who did something perfectly, like a masterclass performance.

Ejemplos clave

3 de 7
1

Talking about your profession

Eu dou aula de matemática em uma escola pública.

I teach math at a public school.

<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M21 13.255A23.931 23.931 0 0112 15c-3.183 0-6.22-.62-9-1.745M16 6V4a2 2 0 00-2-2h-4a2 2 0 00-2 2v2m4 6h.01M5 20h14a2 2 0 002-2V8a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2z"/></svg>
2

Praising a friend's cooking

Nossa, você deu aula nesse jantar! Estava tudo perfeito.

Wow, you killed it with this dinner! Everything was perfect.

<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>
3

Asking about someone's schedule

Você vai dar aula hoje à noite ou está livre?

Are you teaching tonight or are you free?

<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>
🌍

Contexto cultural

Very common in sports commentary to praise a player.

💡

Check your role

Always remember if you are the teacher or the student.

En 15 segundos

  • Standard way to say 'to teach' in any professional context.
  • Common slang for performing a task with expert skill.
  • Literally translates to 'giving class' rather than 'teaching class'.

What It Means

In Portuguese, you don't 'teach' a class; you 'give' it. Dar aula is the everyday bread-and-butter phrase for the act of teaching. If you're a professor at a university or a yoga instructor, you use this. However, Brazilians love a good metaphor. Because teachers are experts, dar aula also means doing something so well that others should take notes. It's the ultimate compliment for someone's skills.

How To Use It

Use it just like a regular verb-noun combo. You can say dar aula de followed by the subject. For example, dar aula de português. If you're talking about your job, just say eu dou aula. When using it as a compliment, keep it simple. If your friend cooks an amazing feijoada, tell them: Você deu aula na cozinha!. It’s punchy and shows you know the local vibe.

When To Use It

Use it in professional settings when discussing schedules or professions. It’s perfect for the office or school. Use it in social settings to hype up your friends. It works great when someone handles a difficult situation with grace. You’ll hear it at soccer matches when a player is dominating the field. It’s also common in text messages to describe a busy day.

When NOT To Use It

Don't use it for informal 'showing' of how to do something small. If you're just showing a friend how to open a bottle, mostrar is better. Avoid using the slang version in very stiff, formal academic reviews. Your thesis advisor might find it too casual if you say a researcher deu aula. Also, don't confuse it with ter aula, which means you are the student attending the class.

Cultural Background

Education is highly respected in Lusophone cultures, but the tone is often communal. The shift from 'teaching' to 'giving' suggests a gift of knowledge. In Brazil, the slang usage exploded with sports commentary. Narrators would scream that a player was dando um baile or dando aula. It reflects a culture that prizes 'malandragem'—the art of doing things with effortless style and expertise.

Common Variations

Dar uma aula implies a specific, singular impressive performance. Dar aula particular is used specifically for private tutoring. You might also hear dar um show, which is a close cousin to the slang version of dar aula. In Portugal, the usage is slightly more literal and less slangy than in Brazil. In casual Brazilian speech, people often drop the 'r' and say vô dá aula.

Notas de uso

The phrase is universally used across all registers. The only 'gotcha' is the slang usage, which is informal. In professional settings, ensure you conjugate the verb `dar` correctly, as it is irregular (eu dou, ele dá, eles dão).

💡

Check your role

Always remember if you are the teacher or the student.

Ejemplos

7
#1 Talking about your profession
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M21 13.255A23.931 23.931 0 0112 15c-3.183 0-6.22-.62-9-1.745M16 6V4a2 2 0 00-2-2h-4a2 2 0 00-2 2v2m4 6h.01M5 20h14a2 2 0 002-2V8a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2z"/></svg>

Eu dou aula de matemática em uma escola pública.

I teach math at a public school.

The most standard, literal use of the phrase.

#2 Praising a friend's cooking
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>

Nossa, você deu aula nesse jantar! Estava tudo perfeito.

Wow, you killed it with this dinner! Everything was perfect.

Using the phrase as a compliment for high skill.

#3 Asking about someone's schedule
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>

Você vai dar aula hoje à noite ou está livre?

Are you teaching tonight or are you free?

Common way to ask a teacher about their availability.

#4 In a business meeting after a great presentation
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M21 13.255A23.931 23.931 0 0112 15c-3.183 0-6.22-.62-9-1.745M16 6V4a2 2 0 00-2-2h-4a2 2 0 00-2 2v2m4 6h.01M5 20h14a2 2 0 002-2V8a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2z"/></svg>

O diretor deu aula na apresentação dos novos resultados.

The director gave a masterclass in the presentation of the new results.

Professional praise for a job well done.

#5 Texting about a sports game
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>

O Neymar deu aula no jogo de ontem, jogou demais!

Neymar put on a clinic in yesterday's game, he played so well!

Very common in sports contexts to describe dominance.

#6 Expressing exhaustion from work
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M4.318 6.318a4.5 4.5 0 000 6.364L12 20.364l7.682-7.682a4.5 4.5 0 00-6.364-6.364L12 7.636l-1.318-1.318a4.5 4.5 0 00-6.364 0z"/></svg>

Estou exausta, dei aula o dia inteirinho.

I'm exhausted, I taught the entire day.

Using the diminutive 'inteirinho' adds an emotional, tired tone.

#7 Joking with a friend who is explaining something too much
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>

Pronto, agora ele resolveu dar aula sobre café.

Great, now he's decided to give a lecture on coffee.

Slightly sarcastic use when someone is acting like a 'know-it-all'.

Ponte a prueba

Choose the correct sentence for a teacher.

Eu ____ de história.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: dou aula

Teachers 'give' (dar) the class.

🎉 Puntuación: /1

Ayudas visuales

Formality of 'Dar Aula'

Slang

Praising a friend's skill

Você deu aula!

Neutral

Talking about a job

Eu dou aula de yoga.

Formal

Academic or official context

O professor dará aula às 10h.

Where to use 'Dar Aula'

dar aula
🏫

At School

O professor está dando aula.

🧘

At the Gym

Ela dá aula de Pilates.

Watching Sports

Aquele jogador deu aula!

💼

Job Interview

Eu dou aula há dez anos.

Banco de ejercicios

1 ejercicios
Choose the correct sentence for a teacher. Choose A1

Eu ____ de história.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: dou aula

Teachers 'give' (dar) the class.

🎉 Puntuación: /1

Preguntas frecuentes

1 preguntas

Yes, it works for any subject.

Frases relacionadas

🔄

dar um show

synonym

to perform well

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