Significado
To communicate using a telephone device.
Contexto cultural
Brazilians are very comfortable with long phone calls and often use 'Alô' to answer. It's common to hear people talking on the phone in loud, animated tones in public. In Portugal, the standard way to answer is 'Estou?' or 'Estou, sim?'. It sounds like a question, meaning 'I am (here), yes?'. In Luanda, phone calls are often used to coordinate logistics due to traffic. The phrase 'estou a mambo' (slang) might be used while on the phone to mean 'I'm doing my thing'. Phone credit (crédito) is often shared between friends. You might hear someone say they can't 'falar ao telefone' because they are 'sem crédito'.
The 'No' vs 'Ao' Secret
If you want to sound like a local in Rio or São Paulo, use 'no'. If you want to sound like a news anchor or a Portuguese person, use 'ao'.
Don't say 'falar em'
Avoid saying 'falar em telefone'. It's a common mistake for English speakers translating 'in' or 'on' literally.
Significado
To communicate using a telephone device.
The 'No' vs 'Ao' Secret
If you want to sound like a local in Rio or São Paulo, use 'no'. If you want to sound like a news anchor or a Portuguese person, use 'ao'.
Don't say 'falar em'
Avoid saying 'falar em telefone'. It's a common mistake for English speakers translating 'in' or 'on' literally.
Answering Etiquette
When answering a call from an unknown number in Brazil, a simple 'Alô?' is perfect. In Portugal, use 'Estou?'.
Ponte a prueba
Complete with the correct preposition/article contraction.
Eu estou falando ___ telefone com a minha mãe.
'Ao' is the standard formal/neutral contraction for this phrase.
Which sentence is correct for a formal email?
Choose the best option:
This uses the correct past continuous tense and the formal preposition.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Onde está o Pedro? B: Ele está no quarto, ______.
'Falando ao telefone' describes the ongoing state of being on a call.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are in a library and someone is being loud on their mobile.
This is the polite way to ask someone to lower their voice on a call.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosEu estou falando ___ telefone com a minha mãe.
'Ao' is the standard formal/neutral contraction for this phrase.
Choose the best option:
This uses the correct past continuous tense and the formal preposition.
A: Onde está o Pedro? B: Ele está no quarto, ______.
'Falando ao telefone' describes the ongoing state of being on a call.
Situation: You are in a library and someone is being loud on their mobile.
This is the polite way to ask someone to lower their voice on a call.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
8 preguntasNot at all! It is the standard informal way to say it in Brazil. However, in formal writing or in Portugal, 'ao' is preferred.
Yes, you can. Even though it's an app, if it's a voice call, 'falar ao telefone' still applies.
You say 'Estou ao telefone' or 'Estou falando ao telefone'.
'Ligar' is the action of dialing/calling. 'Falar' is the action of actually speaking once the person answers.
Yes, without it, the sentence is incomplete. You are speaking 'via' the phone medium.
Eu falei com ele ao telefone.
'Telefone' is the general term. 'Celular' (BR) or 'Telemóvel' (EU) is specifically a mobile phone.
Yes, 'falar por telefone' is also correct and common, especially when emphasizing the medium of communication.
Frases relacionadas
ligar para alguém
similarTo call someone.
atender o telefone
builds onTo answer the phone.
desligar o telefone
contrastTo hang up the phone.
passar o telefone
similarTo hand over the phone to someone else.
