Significado
Used to express that something is not surprising given the circumstances.
Contexto cultural
In Portugal, the phrase is often used with a sense of 'Fado'—a resigned acceptance of one's fate. It's very common in news commentary to explain social phenomena. Brazilians often prefer 'Não é à toa que' in casual speech, but 'Não é de admirar que' is the gold standard for journalism and formal debates (like on TV Cultura). In Angolan Portuguese, the phrase maintains its formal structure but is often used to highlight the logical results of community efforts or social changes. In the works of José Saramago, this phrase is used to create a narrative voice that is both observant and slightly detached, guiding the reader through the logic of the absurd.
Master the Subjunctive
If you use this phrase in a C1 exam, the examiner is looking specifically for the subjunctive verb that follows. Don't miss it!
Watch your tone
Using this when someone is telling you about a misfortune can make you sound unsympathetic. Use it for facts, not feelings.
Significado
Used to express that something is not surprising given the circumstances.
Master the Subjunctive
If you use this phrase in a C1 exam, the examiner is looking specifically for the subjunctive verb that follows. Don't miss it!
Watch your tone
Using this when someone is telling you about a misfortune can make you sound unsympathetic. Use it for facts, not feelings.
Shorten it in Lisbon
If you are in Portugal, drop the 'é de' to sound like a local: 'Não admira que...'
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb in parentheses (Subjunctive).
Não é de admirar que eles _______ (estar) cansados depois da viagem.
The phrase 'Não é de admirar que' requires the Present Subjunctive for a current state.
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a formal report?
Analyzing the drop in sales:
This option uses the full formal structure and the correct Present Perfect Subjunctive.
Match the cause to the 'Não é de admirar que' effect.
Cause: O João comeu três fatias de bolo.
Eating too much cake logically leads to a stomach ache.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: 'A Maria passou noites em claro estudando para o exame.' B: '____________________'
Studying all night logically leads to a high grade.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosNão é de admirar que eles _______ (estar) cansados depois da viagem.
The phrase 'Não é de admirar que' requires the Present Subjunctive for a current state.
Analyzing the drop in sales:
This option uses the full formal structure and the correct Present Perfect Subjunctive.
Cause: O João comeu três fatias de bolo.
Eating too much cake logically leads to a stomach ache.
A: 'A Maria passou noites em claro estudando para o exame.' B: '____________________'
Studying all night logically leads to a high grade.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasTechnically no, in standard grammar. However, in very informal speech, some people do. To sound educated, always use the subjunctive.
Yes, but it's more formal. 'No wonder' can be just two words, while this is a full clause.
They are the same meaning. 'Não admira' is the colloquial, shortened version common in speech.
No, it must introduce a clause. If you want to end a sentence, use 'Pudera!' or 'Não é para menos'.
Yes, very much so, especially in writing and formal speech. In casual talk, Brazilians might prefer 'Não é à toa que'.
Yes, the phrase is fixed as 'Não é...'. You wouldn't say 'É de admirar que' to mean 'It's surprising that' in the same idiomatic way.
Use the Present Subjunctive for current facts and the Present Perfect Subjunctive for things that already happened.
No, that's a literal translation from English. Use 'que'.
In this phrase, it's just 'admirar'. You don't need the reflexive 'se'.
Yes, it's a staple of Portuguese prose, used to link logical steps in a narrative.
Frases relacionadas
Não é à toa que
similarIt's not for nothing that
Pudera!
specialized formNo wonder!
Era de esperar
synonymIt was to be expected
Com razão
builds onWith good reason
