Dessa forma

Using it is like placing a bookmark in a conversation. You usually start with a statement. Maybe you're talking about your new workout routine. 'I'm exercising every morning at 6 AM.' Then, you drop the bridge: Dessa forma, me sinto mais disposto. (In this way, I feel more energetic). Notice that comma? It’s your best friend here. It gives the phrase a little breathing room. You can use it at the start of a sentence to link back to the previous one, or in the middle of a compound sentence. Just remember that dessa is a contraction of de (of) and essa (that). You’re literally saying 'from that form.' If you’re pointing to something you just said, dessa is your go-to. If you’re pointing to something you’re about to do right now, you might hear desta forma, but don't sweat the small stuff yet.

This phrase sits comfortably in the 'Neutral to Formal' zone. It’s the white button-down shirt of Portuguese. You can wear it to a wedding (a job interview), or you can wear it to a nice dinner (an email to your landlord). You won't usually hear teenagers shouting it at each other while playing Roblox, but you will definitely see it in a well-crafted Instagram caption explaining a life hack. In Brazil, people love to sound articulate, so using dessa forma makes you seem educated without being a 'know-it-all.' It’s much more common in writing than in super casual speech, where people might just say assim or desse jeito (which is like the flip-flops version of the phrase).

Imagine you’re recording a TikTok tutorial on how to make the perfect *pão de queijo*. You explain the ingredients, then you say: Misture bem os ingredientes. Dessa forma, a massa fica homogênea. (Mix the ingredients well. In this way, the dough becomes smooth). Or think about a professional setting. You’re on a Zoom call, and your Wi-Fi is acting up. You might say: 'I'll turn off my camera. Dessa forma, a conexão melhora.' (In this way, the connection improves). It also works for those annoying 'corporate speak' emails. 'We are restructuring our team. Dessa forma, we will be more efficient.' It’s the ultimate 'I know what I’m doing' phrase. It even shows up in news reports about the economy or politics, where logic (hopefully) reigns supreme.

You should reach for dessa forma whenever you want to clarify a process. It’s perfect for 'how-to' scenarios. It’s also great for justifying your actions. If you tell your partner you’re putting the dishes away now so you can watch Netflix later, dessa forma makes the deal sound official. Use it when you want to sound persuasive. It builds a case. It says, 'Look at the evidence I just gave you; doesn't this conclusion make sense?' It’s also a lifesaver when you’re writing an essay or a report and you’ve used the word então (so) fifty times already. Variety is the spice of life, and dessa forma is the saffron.

Don't use it in the middle of a heated argument where you’re just venting. If you’re yelling 'I’m angry!', adding dessa forma, estou gritando sounds like you’ve swallowed a dictionary. It’s too structured for raw emotion. Also, avoid it in very slang-heavy environments. If you’re at a skate park or a loud club, dessa forma will make you sound like a time-traveling professor. It’s also not a replacement for 'like' or 'as.' You can't say Eu sou dessa forma to mean 'I am like this'—for that, you’d just say Eu sou assim. It’s a connector, not a personality trait. Using it too much in a single paragraph can also make your writing feel stiff and robotic, like an AI trying too hard to pass a Turing test.

The most classic blunder is forgetting the contraction. ✗ De essa forma sounds like you're reading a textbook out loud. Always combine them into Dessa. Another one is mixing it up with Desta forma. While desta (with a 't') is technically for things right here and dessa (with 'ss') is for things you just mentioned, even natives get lazy with this. However, sticking to dessa is almost always the safer bet for logical transitions. Some learners also try to add que after it: ✗ Dessa forma que... This is a no-go. It’s a standalone bridge. Just say the phrase, add a comma, and move on with your life. Lastly, don't confuse it with De qualquer forma, which means 'anyway.' That's a totally different vibe for when you want to change the subject, not connect it.

If Dessa forma is too fancy for you, try Desse jeito. That’s the casual cousin you see at backyard BBQs. It means the same thing but feels much more 'street.' Then there’s Deste modo, which is the twin brother of Dessa forma—it’s just as formal and used in the same way. If you’re feeling extra sophisticated, you can use Assim sendo (this being so). For the minimalist, there’s always Assim. It’s short, punchy, and does the job. In Portugal, you might hear Desta maneira more often. All these phrases are like different flavors of ice cream; they all satisfy the craving for logic, just with different levels of sweetness.

Is it always formal? Not always, but it’s definitely polished. You can use it with friends if you're explaining something, but it’s the king of office talk. Can I use it at the end of a sentence? Usually, no. It’s a bridge, and bridges need to lead somewhere. It almost always sits at the start or middle of a thought. Is Desta forma wrong? No, it’s just less common in speech. Think of it as the difference between 'this' and 'that.' If you're talking about the idea you just finished, dessa is more natural. Does it mean 'anyway'? Nope! That’s de qualquer forma. Dessa forma is about the *specific* way something is happening. If you mix them up, people might think you're agreeing with them when you're actually trying to change the subject.