En 15 segundos
- Use it to describe someone pretending or acting a certain way.
- Follow the phrase with a noun like 'fool' or 'expert'.
- Perfect for calling out friends or describing funny social situations.
Significado
This phrase is used when someone is acting like something they aren't, or pretending to have a certain quality to get out of a situation. It's like saying someone is 'playing the part' of a fool, a hero, or an expert.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6At a restaurant with a stingy friend
Ele sempre dá uma de esquecido na hora de pagar a conta.
He always acts forgotten when it's time to pay the bill.
In a meeting with a know-it-all
Não adianta dar uma de entendido se você não leu o relatório.
There's no point pretending to be an expert if you haven't read the report.
Texting about a crush
Eu dei uma de desentendida quando ele me elogiou.
I acted like I didn't get it when he complimented me.
Contexto cultural
The phrase is deeply linked to 'Malandragem'. A 'malandro' is someone who uses their wits (and often 'dá uma de' something) to survive social and economic hardships without a formal job. While 'dar uma de' is understood due to Brazilian soaps (telenovelas), 'armar-se em' is the local preference. Using 'dar uma de' might make you sound like you're trying to speak Brazilian Portuguese. In Luanda, slang often blends Portuguese with Kimbundu influences. 'Dar uma de' is used, but often with local nouns like 'dar uma de mambo' (acting like something big/important). Modern Brazilians use 'dar uma de blogueirinha' (acting like a little blogger) to mock friends who take too many photos of their food or outfits.
The 'João' Secret
If you want to sound like a local in Brazil, use 'dar uma de João sem braço' when someone is clearly ignoring a task. It's the ultimate insider phrase.
Gender Trap
Remember: 'uma' is fixed, but the noun after 'de' changes. 'Ele deu uma de louco' vs 'Ela deu uma de louca'.
En 15 segundos
- Use it to describe someone pretending or acting a certain way.
- Follow the phrase with a noun like 'fool' or 'expert'.
- Perfect for calling out friends or describing funny social situations.
What It Means
dar uma de is a super common way to describe someone's behavior. You use it when someone is pretending or acting a certain way. It implies the person is putting on an act. It is often followed by a noun like bobo (fool) or entendido (expert). It captures that moment when someone tries to deceive or simply play a role.
How To Use It
The structure is simple: dar uma de + [the role]. If you want to say someone is playing dumb, say dar uma de joão-sem-braço. It works with names, professions, or personality traits. You can use it in any tense. 'He gave one of' becomes ele deu uma de.
When To Use It
Use it when your friend pretends not to see a bill at a restaurant. Use it when a colleague acts like the boss when the real boss leaves. It is perfect for calling out fake behavior. It works great in casual chats and storytelling. It adds a bit of flavor to your descriptions of people.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this in very formal legal documents or academic papers. It is a bit too colorful for a serious eulogy. Don't use it if someone is being 100% sincere. If they are actually a doctor, don't say they are dando uma de médico. That would imply they are a fraud!
Cultural Background
Brazilians love using metaphors for social navigation. This phrase reflects the 'jeitinho brasileiro'—finding a way around things. Sometimes 'giving one of' something is a survival tactic. It has been part of the spoken language for decades. It is deeply rooted in everyday street Portuguese.
Common Variations
You might hear fazer-se de which is slightly more formal. Another one is dar uma de joão-sem-braço for playing lazy or ignorant. In some regions, people just say dar uma de esperto. The core meaning of 'acting as if' remains the same across Brazil. It is a versatile tool for your social vocabulary.
Notas de uso
This is an informal idiom. It is widely used in speech but should be avoided in formal writing. It always uses the feminine 'uma' regardless of the subject's gender.
The 'João' Secret
If you want to sound like a local in Brazil, use 'dar uma de João sem braço' when someone is clearly ignoring a task. It's the ultimate insider phrase.
Gender Trap
Remember: 'uma' is fixed, but the noun after 'de' changes. 'Ele deu uma de louco' vs 'Ela deu uma de louca'.
Portugal vs Brazil
If you are in Lisbon, try 'armar-se em'. If you are in Rio, stick with 'dar uma de'.
Ejemplos
6Ele sempre dá uma de esquecido na hora de pagar a conta.
He always acts forgotten when it's time to pay the bill.
Here it implies the person is pretending to forget their wallet.
Não adianta dar uma de entendido se você não leu o relatório.
There's no point pretending to be an expert if you haven't read the report.
Used to challenge someone's false authority.
Eu dei uma de desentendida quando ele me elogiou.
I acted like I didn't get it when he complimented me.
Common in dating contexts to describe playing hard to get.
O cachorro deu uma de coitado para ganhar mais comida.
The dog acted like a poor thing to get more food.
Used humorously to describe a pet's manipulation.
Ela deu uma de louca e começou a gritar no corredor.
She acted crazy and started screaming in the hallway.
Describes a sudden, dramatic change in behavior.
Aquele ator gosta de dar uma de humilde, mas é muito arrogante.
That actor likes to act humble, but he is very arrogant.
Contrasting a public persona with reality.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'dar uma de' and the adjective in brackets (pay attention to gender!).
A Maria não queria ajudar, então ela ____ (louco).
Maria is female, so 'louco' becomes 'louca'. The past tense 'deu' fits the context of an action that happened.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct option:
'Uma' is always feminine, and 'espertos' agrees with the plural subject 'Eles'.
Match the 'dar uma de' phrase to the situation.
1. Dar uma de João sem braço | 2. Dar uma de difícil | 3. Dar uma de patrão
These are the most common cultural usages of these specific variations.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: 'Você viu que o Pedro comprou um carro caro só para impressionar a vizinha?' B: 'Sim, ele adora ____.'
Buying an expensive car to impress someone is a classic example of 'acting rich'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosA Maria não queria ajudar, então ela ____ (louco).
Maria is female, so 'louco' becomes 'louca'. The past tense 'deu' fits the context of an action that happened.
Choose the correct option:
'Uma' is always feminine, and 'espertos' agrees with the plural subject 'Eles'.
1. Dar uma de João sem braço | 2. Dar uma de difícil | 3. Dar uma de patrão
These are the most common cultural usages of these specific variations.
A: 'Você viu que o Pedro comprou um carro caro só para impressionar a vizinha?' B: 'Sim, ele adora ____.'
Buying an expensive car to impress someone is a classic example of 'acting rich'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasUsually, it has a slightly negative or mocking tone because it implies pretending. However, it can be playful, like 'dar uma de herói' (acting like a hero).
It is always 'dar uma de'. You don't use the article 'a' unless you are referring to a very specific person (e.g., 'dar uma de a Madonna').
Literally 'Armless John'. It refers to someone pretending to be disabled to avoid work or get favors.
It's informal and can be seen as a 'call out'. Use it with friends, but avoid it in formal or respectful contexts.
Yes! 'Eles deram uma de espertos' (They acted like smart-alecks).
'Fazer-se de' is more common for 'playing the victim' (fazer-se de vítima), while 'dar uma de' is more common for 'acting like an expert/boss'.
No, you must use a noun or adjective. You would say 'dar uma de mim mesmo' (acting like myself), though that is rare.
You can say 'dar uma de bobo', 'dar uma de desentendido', or the classic 'dar uma de João sem braço'.
Only in very casual office talk between close colleagues. Never in a presentation or formal meeting.
Linguists believe it refers to an invisible feminine noun like 'atitude' (attitude) or 'vez' (time).
Frases relacionadas
fazer-se de
synonymTo pretend to be
armar-se em
synonymTo act like (Portugal)
pagar de
similarTo pose as / To try to pass as
dar uma
builds onTo do something quickly / To give a...
