A1 Idiom Informal

Ficar de olho

To keep an eye on

Significado

To watch something or someone carefully and attentively.

🌍

Contexto cultural

In Brazil, 'ficar de olho' is often used in flirtation. If someone says 'Fulano está de olho em você', it means they are romantically interested. In Portugal, the phrase is frequently used in security contexts, like 'ficar de olho' on one's car in busy tourist areas of Lisbon. In Luanda, the phrase is used similarly to Brazil, often in the context of street commerce and 'kinguilas' (money changers) watching the exchange rates.

🎯

Use with 'em'

Always remember that 'ficar de olho' needs the preposition 'em'. If you're watching a 'carro' (masculine), it's 'no carro'.

⚠️

Not for staring

This phrase is about attention, not staring creepily. For staring, use 'encarar'.

Significado

To watch something or someone carefully and attentively.

🎯

Use with 'em'

Always remember that 'ficar de olho' needs the preposition 'em'. If you're watching a 'carro' (masculine), it's 'no carro'.

⚠️

Not for staring

This phrase is about attention, not staring creepily. For staring, use 'encarar'.

💬

The Flirtation Factor

Be careful using this about people; it might sound like you have a crush!

Ponte a prueba

Complete the sentence with the correct preposition.

Pode ficar de olho ___ minha mochila?

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

We use 'em' + 'a' = 'na' for feminine objects like 'mochila'.

Which sentence means 'I am watching the sale'?

Choose the best option:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Estou de olho na promoção.

'Estou de olho' is the standard idiomatic way to express current monitoring.

Match the phrase to the situation.

You are at the airport and need to go buy water. What do you say to your friend?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Fique de olho nas malas.

'Fique de olho' is the most appropriate for guarding items.

Complete the dialogue.

A: O jantar está pronto? B: Quase. Eu estou ___ de olho no forno.

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

The full expression is 'estar de olho'.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Ayudas visuales

When to use 'Ficar de Olho'

🛡️

Safety

  • Luggage
  • Kids
  • House
💰

Opportunity

  • Sales
  • Jobs
  • Stocks
❤️

Social

  • Crushes
  • Friends
  • Crowds

Banco de ejercicios

4 ejercicios
Complete the sentence with the correct preposition. Fill Blank A1

Pode ficar de olho ___ minha mochila?

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

We use 'em' + 'a' = 'na' for feminine objects like 'mochila'.

Which sentence means 'I am watching the sale'? Choose A1

Choose the best option:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Estou de olho na promoção.

'Estou de olho' is the standard idiomatic way to express current monitoring.

Match the phrase to the situation. situation_matching A2

You are at the airport and need to go buy water. What do you say to your friend?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Fique de olho nas malas.

'Fique de olho' is the most appropriate for guarding items.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion A1

A: O jantar está pronto? B: Quase. Eu estou ___ de olho no forno.

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

The full expression is 'estar de olho'.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Preguntas frecuentes

4 preguntas

No, for TV we use 'assistir'. 'Ficar de olho' implies monitoring or waiting for something.

It is always 'de olho'. 'Do olho' would mean 'of the eye' and is incorrect here.

Yes, it is universally understood and used across all Portuguese-speaking countries.

You can, but it usually refers to a physical condition, like having a black eye ('ficar com o olho roxo').

Frases relacionadas

🔗

Abrir o olho

similar

To be alert or careful

🔗

Dar uma olhada

similar

To take a quick look

🔄

Vigiar

synonym

To watch/guard

🔗

Comer com os olhos

builds on

To desire something intensely

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