At the A1 level, you should learn 'clima' as a basic noun to describe the general weather of a place you are visiting or where you live. You might use it in simple sentences like 'O clima é quente' (The climate is hot) or 'Eu gosto do clima aqui' (I like the climate here). It is crucial at this stage to distinguish it from 'tempo'. While 'tempo' is what you see outside the window right now, 'clima' is the general rule for that city. For example, in London, the 'clima' is often described as rainy and gray, even if the 'tempo' today is sunny. Focus on masculine agreement: 'o clima bom', 'um clima frio'. You will most commonly use it with the verb 'ser' to describe permanent characteristics of a region.
At the A2 level, you can begin to use 'clima' to describe different regions and make simple comparisons. You should be able to say things like 'O clima no sul do Brasil é mais frio do que no norte' (The climate in the south of Brazil is colder than in the north). You will also start encountering the figurative use of 'clima' in social settings. You might hear 'O clima da festa estava muito bom' (The party vibe was very good). At this stage, you should also be familiar with common adjectives used with 'clima', such as 'tropical', 'seco' (dry), 'úmido' (humid), and 'agradável' (pleasant). You can also use it to express preferences during travel planning, such as 'Eu prefiro climas quentes para as férias'.
At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'clima' in more complex discussions about the environment and workplace. You will likely encounter terms like 'mudanças climáticas' (climate change) in news articles or intermediate listening exercises. You should be able to explain how the 'clima' affects daily life or the economy of a country. Furthermore, the figurative use becomes more nuanced. You might describe the 'clima de trabalho' (work atmosphere) or a 'clima de tensão' (atmosphere of tension) in a story or news report. You should also understand the use of 'clima' in the context of 'climatização' (climate control/AC). Your ability to use 'clima' as a subject in complex sentences with relative clauses (e.g., 'O clima que encontramos na serra era perfeito') should be developing.
At the B2 level, 'clima' becomes a tool for discussing sociological and psychological atmospheres. You will use it to describe the 'clima político' (political climate) of a country or the 'clima de opinião' (climate of opinion). You should be able to participate in debates about 'aquecimento global' (global warming) and use academic adjectives like 'temperado', 'mediterrânico', or 'semiárido' with precision. In professional contexts, you will understand and use 'clima organizacional' to discuss company culture and employee engagement. You should also be familiar with idiomatic expressions like 'quebrar o clima' (to break the mood) and be able to use them correctly in social interactions. Your understanding of the word should move beyond simple weather to encompass the general 'feeling' of eras, movements, or complex social situations.
At the C1 level, your use of 'clima' should show a high degree of precision and stylistic variety. You will use it in academic or professional writing to describe 'condições climáticas adversas' (adverse climatic conditions) or 'estratégias de adaptação ao clima'. You should be able to analyze the 'clima intelectual' (intellectual climate) of a historical period or the 'clima de impunidade' (climate of impunity) in a legal or political discussion. At this level, you can distinguish between 'clima' and 'microclima' and discuss how urban planning affects the 'clima urbano'. You will also use the word in literary contexts to describe the 'clima emocional' of a scene or the 'clima de suspense' in a novel. Your ability to use the word metaphorically will be indistinguishable from a native speaker's.
At the C2 level, you possess a masterly command of 'clima' in all its scientific, sociological, and metaphorical dimensions. You can engage in high-level scientific discourse about 'climatologia' and 'paleoclimatologia'. You can use the word to describe the most subtle shifts in social dynamics or political discourse, such as 'a deterioração do clima diplomático' (the deterioration of the diplomatic climate). In creative writing, you can use 'clima' to evoke complex sensory and emotional landscapes. You understand the historical evolution of the term and its relation to other concepts like 'ambiente', 'meio', and 'contexto'. You can use the word with total flexibility, whether in a highly technical report on environmental policy or in a nuanced critique of a film's 'clima noir'.

clima en 30 segundos

  • Clima means 'climate' (long-term weather) and 'atmosphere' or 'vibe' (social mood).
  • It is a masculine noun (o clima), despite ending in -a.
  • Do not use it for daily weather; use 'tempo' for that instead.
  • Commonly used in 'mudanças climáticas' (climate change) and 'clima organizacional' (work vibe).

The Portuguese word clima is a masculine noun that primarily translates to 'climate' in English. It refers to the long-term patterns of temperature, humidity, wind, and precipitation in a specific geographic region. While beginners often confuse it with tempo (weather), clima is used for permanent or seasonal characteristics rather than the state of the atmosphere at a specific moment.

Geographical Usage
When discussing the Amazon rainforest, you would say it has a 'clima equatorial' (equatorial climate), meaning it is consistently hot and humid throughout the year.
Social and Figurative Usage
Beyond meteorology, clima is frequently used to describe the 'atmosphere' or 'vibe' of a situation, place, or group of people. If a party is fun, there is a 'clima de festa'. If a meeting is tense, there is a 'clima pesado'.

O clima organizacional desta empresa é excelente para novos talentos.

Meaning: The organizational atmosphere of this company is excellent for new talents.

In Brazil, a country of continental dimensions, the clima varies significantly. From the semi-arid conditions of the Northeast (Sertão) to the subtropical climate of the South, understanding this word is essential for discussing travel, geography, and daily life. It is also a key term in modern discussions about 'mudanças climáticas' (climate change), a topic of global importance.

O clima tropical favorece a produção de frutas exóticas.

Meaning: The tropical climate favors the production of exotic fruits.

Furthermore, the word appears in romantic or interpersonal contexts. In Brazilian slang, 'rolou um clima' means 'there was a vibe' or 'there was a spark' between two people. This demonstrates the versatility of the word from scientific to highly informal registers.

Sinto um clima de romance no ar hoje.

Professional Context
In Human Resources, 'clima organizacional' refers to the employee satisfaction and the general mood within the office environment.

O clima de Natal já tomou conta das ruas da cidade.

Precisamos proteger o nosso clima para as futuras gerações.

Using clima correctly involves distinguishing between its literal scientific meaning and its figurative social meaning. In scientific or geographical contexts, it is almost always followed by an adjective that specifies the type of climate.

Describing Regions
'O clima do deserto é extremamente seco.' (The desert climate is extremely dry). Here, 'clima' defines the permanent nature of the place.
Climate Change
'As mudanças no clima global preocupam os cientistas.' (Changes in the global climate worry scientists). In this context, it refers to the planet's ecological state.

Eu prefiro morar em cidades com clima ameno.

Meaning: I prefer to live in cities with a mild climate.

In figurative usage, clima describes the mood of a group. It is often used with verbs like 'estar' (to be), 'ficar' (to become), or 'criar' (to create).

Depois da discussão, o clima na sala ficou muito pesado.

Meaning: After the argument, the atmosphere in the room became very heavy.

You will also see it in the context of 'climatização' (air conditioning/climate control) in buildings. If a store is 'climatizada', it means it has a controlled temperature. This is very common in advertisements for hotels or restaurants in hot Brazilian cities.

Este hotel oferece quartos com clima controlado e Wi-Fi gratuito.

Idiomatic Expressions
'Não quebra o clima!' is a common way to say 'Don't ruin the mood!' when someone says something inappropriate or mood-killing.

O clima de montanha é perfeito para um final de semana romântico.

Não há clima para brincadeiras agora; o assunto é sério.

In a Portuguese-speaking environment, clima is omnipresent. You will hear it in the news, in corporate environments, and in casual social interactions. On the news, it is frequently used in reports about environmental issues, agriculture, and global warming. Reporters will discuss the 'crise do clima' (climate crisis) or how the 'clima seco' (dry climate) is affecting crop yields in the interior of the country.

O Jornal Nacional informou sobre as novas metas para o clima na conferência da ONU.

Meaning: The National News reported on the new climate goals at the UN conference.

In the workplace, the term 'clima organizacional' is a standard part of management vocabulary. HR professionals conduct 'pesquisas de clima' (climate surveys) to gauge employee happiness. If you work in an office in Brazil or Portugal, you might hear a colleague say, 'O clima aqui está meio estranho hoje' (The vibe here is a bit strange today), implying there is some unspoken tension.

Social Gatherings
At a bar or club, people use 'clima' to talk about the energy of the place. 'Aquele bar tem um clima bem descontraído' (That bar has a very relaxed vibe).

Vamos sair daqui; o clima ficou chato depois daquela briga.

In television dramas (telenovelas), characters often use 'clima' to describe romantic tension. 'Pintou um clima entre os protagonistas' (A spark appeared between the protagonists) is a classic trope. You will also see it in tourism brochures describing the 'clima de montanha' (mountain climate) of places like Campos do Jordão or the 'clima tropical' of the coastal beaches.

O clima de festa junina já começou no Nordeste.

Scientific Contexts
In schools and universities, students learn about 'clima temperado', 'clima polar', and 'clima subtropical'.

A conferência discutiu o impacto do desmatamento no clima regional.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make is using clima when they should use tempo. In English, the word 'weather' refers to the daily conditions (rain, sun, wind), while 'climate' refers to long-term averages. Portuguese makes this same distinction, but learners often default to 'clima' because it sounds like 'climate' and they assume it's a direct synonym for 'weather'.

Mistake: 'The weather is good today'
Incorrect: 'O clima está bom hoje.' (While understandable, it sounds strange to a native). Correct: 'O tempo está bom hoje.'
Gender Error
Mistake: 'A clima'. Correct: 'O clima'. Nouns ending in '-ma' of Greek origin (like 'sistema', 'problema', 'tema') are almost always masculine in Portuguese.

Não diga 'a clima'; o correto é sempre 'o clima'.

Another mistake is using 'clima' to mean 'temperature'. While climate involves temperature, they are not the same word. If you want to say 'The temperature is high', use 'A temperatura está alta', not 'O clima está alto'.

Muitos alunos confundem clima com tempo ao falar do dia a dia.

In figurative usage, some learners try to use 'atmosfera' for everything. While 'atmosfera' works for the physical atmosphere or a very grand setting, 'clima' is much more common for the social 'vibe' of a group or office. Using 'atmosfera organizacional' sounds overly formal and slightly unnatural compared to 'clima organizacional'.

Pluralization
Mistake: 'Os climas de amanhã' (The climates of tomorrow). You should say 'A previsão do tempo para amanhã'.

O clima é o que esperamos; o tempo é o que recebemos.

Depending on the context, you might want to use words that are more specific than clima. Understanding these nuances will make your Portuguese sound much more natural and precise.

Tempo
The most common alternative. Use it for 'weather' (rain, sun, clouds). Example: 'Como está o tempo?'
Ambiente
Refers to the physical environment or surroundings. While 'clima' is the mood, 'ambiente' is the place itself. Example: 'O ambiente de trabalho é limpo e moderno.'
Atmosfera
Used for the physical atmosphere of Earth or a very specific artistic 'mood'. Example: 'A atmosfera da Terra contém oxigênio.'

Existe uma grande diferença entre o clima e o tempo meteorológico.

In informal Brazilian Portuguese, you might hear the word 'vibe' (borrowed from English) or 'astral'. 'O astral da festa estava ótimo' means the mood was great. 'Clima' remains the more standard and versatile term, however.

O clima organizacional é medido pela satisfação dos funcionários.

For specific weather phenomena, use terms like 'umidade' (humidity), 'temperatura' (temperature), or 'precipitação' (precipitation). If you are talking about the general feeling of a place's weather over time, 'regime climático' is a more academic alternative to 'clima'.

Ar
Sometimes 'ar' (air) is used figuratively like 'clima'. 'Há um ar de mistério aqui' (There is an air of mystery here).

Mudamos de clima ao viajar do litoral para a serra.

O clima de insegurança afetou os investimentos no país.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

Ancient Greeks divided the world into 'klimata' based on the angle of the sun, which is why we still use the word for latitude-based weather patterns today.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /ˈkli.mɐ/
US /ˈkli.mə/
The stress is on the first syllable: CLI-ma.
Rima con
rima estima acima lima vítima lágrima prima aproxima
Errores comunes
  • Pronouncing it like 'climb-a'.
  • Making the 'i' too long like 'clee-ee-ma'.
  • Nasalizing the 'a' at the end too much.
  • Adding a 'u' sound after the 'l' (clu-ima).
  • Stressing the second syllable (cli-MA).

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 1/5

Very easy as it is a cognate of 'climate'.

Escritura 2/5

Easy, but remember it is masculine (o clima).

Expresión oral 2/5

Requires distinguishing from 'tempo' in daily speech.

Escucha 1/5

Clear pronunciation, usually easy to catch.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

sol chuva frio quente lugar

Aprende después

previsão umidade temperatura estação ambiente

Avanzado

ecossistema sustentabilidade climatologia biosfera estratosfera

Gramática que debes saber

Masculine nouns ending in -a

O clima, o problema, o sistema, o tema.

Ser vs Estar with weather/climate

O clima É quente (permanent). O tempo ESTÁ quente (now).

Adjective Agreement

Clima agradável (singular), climas agradáveis (plural).

Preposition 'de' for atmosphere

Clima DE festa, clima DE romance.

Compound word formation

Micro + clima = microclima (no hyphen).

Ejemplos por nivel

1

O clima aqui é muito quente.

The climate here is very hot.

Uses 'o clima' (masculine) with the verb 'ser'.

2

Eu gosto do clima frio.

I like the cold climate.

'Do' is the contraction of 'de' + 'o'.

3

Como é o clima na sua cidade?

What is the climate like in your city?

Asking for a general description using 'como é'.

4

O clima do Brasil é tropical.

Brazil's climate is tropical.

Standard geographical description.

5

O clima está seco este mês.

The climate is dry this month.

'Estar' is used here for a temporary state of the climate.

6

Não gosto de clima úmido.

I don't like humid climates.

Simple negation with 'não gosto de'.

7

O clima muda muito no outono.

The climate changes a lot in autumn.

Verb 'mudar' conjugated in the third person singular.

8

Este clima é perfeito para viajar.

This climate is perfect for traveling.

'Este' is the masculine demonstrative pronoun.

1

O clima de Portugal é mais ameno que o da Inglaterra.

Portugal's climate is milder than England's.

Comparison using 'mais... que'.

2

O clima da festa estava muito animado.

The party vibe was very lively.

Figurative use of 'clima' meaning vibe/atmosphere.

3

Nós preferimos o clima de montanha.

We prefer the mountain climate.

Plural subject 'nós' with 'preferimos'.

4

O clima seco faz mal para a minha pele.

The dry climate is bad for my skin.

'Faz mal para' means 'is bad for'.

5

Sinto um clima de romance entre eles.

I feel a romantic vibe between them.

Idiomatic use for romantic tension.

6

O clima tropical atrai muitos turistas.

The tropical climate attracts many tourists.

Transitive verb 'atrair'.

7

O clima na escola é muito amigável.

The atmosphere at school is very friendly.

Social 'clima' in an institutional setting.

8

Eles moram em um clima muito gelado.

They live in a very freezing climate.

'Gelado' is a strong adjective for 'cold'.

1

As mudanças no clima global são uma realidade.

Changes in the global climate are a reality.

Plural 'mudanças' with prepositional phrase 'no clima'.

2

O clima de tensão na reunião era evidente.

The atmosphere of tension in the meeting was evident.

Abstract noun 'tensão' modifying 'clima'.

3

O clima organizacional influencia a produtividade.

The organizational climate influences productivity.

Professional term for workplace atmosphere.

4

A climatização do escritório está com defeito.

The office air conditioning is faulty.

'Climatização' is the noun for climate control.

5

O clima de Natal já chegou às lojas.

The Christmas spirit has already reached the shops.

Metaphorical use for holiday spirit.

6

Precisamos nos adaptar ao novo clima da região.

We need to adapt to the new climate of the region.

Reflexive verb 'adaptar-se' followed by 'ao'.

7

O clima de insegurança impede o crescimento.

The climate of insecurity prevents growth.

Abstract usage in economic/social contexts.

8

O clima temperado é ideal para certas plantações.

The temperate climate is ideal for certain crops.

Specific geographic term 'clima temperado'.

1

O clima político do país está muito polarizado.

The country's political climate is very polarized.

Usage in political science and journalism.

2

Não quebre o clima com esses comentários negativos.

Don't ruin the mood with those negative comments.

Idiomatic expression 'quebrar o clima'.

3

O clima de impunidade gera revolta na população.

The climate of impunity generates anger in the population.

Usage in social and legal discussions.

4

O clima mediterrânico é caracterizado por verões secos.

The Mediterranean climate is characterized by dry summers.

Scientific definition structure.

5

A pesquisa de clima revelou insatisfação dos funcionários.

The climate survey revealed employee dissatisfaction.

Corporate term 'pesquisa de clima'.

6

O clima de suspense no filme é mantido até o fim.

The atmosphere of suspense in the film is kept until the end.

Usage in arts and media criticism.

7

Pintou um clima pesado quando ele entrou na sala.

A heavy atmosphere arose when he entered the room.

Informal expression 'pintou um clima'.

8

O clima de cooperação entre as empresas é benéfico.

The climate of cooperation between the companies is beneficial.

Positive abstract usage.

1

A mitigação dos efeitos do clima é um desafio global.

Mitigating climate effects is a global challenge.

Formal academic vocabulary: 'mitigação'.

2

O clima de incerteza econômica afeta a bolsa de valores.

The climate of economic uncertainty affects the stock market.

Usage in financial journalism.

3

O autor consegue criar um clima melancólico na obra.

The author manages to create a melancholic atmosphere in the work.

Literary analysis usage.

4

O clima de desconfiança mútua impediu o acordo.

The climate of mutual distrust prevented the agreement.

High-level social/political description.

5

As variações do clima influenciam a biodiversidade local.

Climate variations influence local biodiversity.

Scientific/biological context.

6

O clima de liberdade de expressão é vital para a democracia.

A climate of freedom of expression is vital for democracy.

Usage in political theory.

7

A cidade possui um microclima muito específico.

The city has a very specific microclimate.

Technical term 'microclima'.

8

O clima de euforia após a vitória foi contagiante.

The climate of euphoria after the victory was contagious.

Describing collective emotions.

1

O clima de beligerância entre as nações é preocupante.

The climate of belligerence between nations is worrying.

Very formal/literary term 'beligerância'.

2

A exacerbação do clima de hostilidade culminou em protestos.

The exacerbation of the climate of hostility culminated in protests.

Complex sentence structure with high-level nouns.

3

O clima de efervescência cultural da década de 20 foi único.

The climate of cultural effervescence of the 20s was unique.

Historical/cultural analysis.

4

O clima de pessimismo antropológico permeia a filosofia do autor.

The climate of anthropological pessimism permeates the author's philosophy.

Highly abstract philosophical usage.

5

A resiliência das comunidades depende da estabilidade do clima.

Community resilience depends on climate stability.

Usage in environmental policy discourse.

6

O clima de conivência com a corrupção deve ser combatido.

The climate of connivance with corruption must be combated.

Usage in legal/ethical discourse.

7

O clima de assepsia emocional na arquitetura moderna é criticado.

The climate of emotional asepsis in modern architecture is criticized.

Usage in architectural/artistic theory.

8

O clima de transitoriedade da vida é um tema recorrente na poesia.

The climate of life's transience is a recurrent theme in poetry.

Usage in literary theory.

Colocaciones comunes

clima tropical
mudanças climáticas
clima organizacional
clima tenso
clima ameno
clima de festa
clima seco
pesquisa de clima
clima de romance
clima instável

Frases Comunes

Como está o clima?

— Used to ask about the general climate of a place (not today's weather).

Como está o clima no Canadá nesta época?

Clima de montanha

— Refers to the cool, fresh air found in mountainous regions.

Adoro o clima de montanha em julho.

Clima de guerra

— Describes a situation of intense conflict or hostility.

A fronteira vive um clima de guerra.

Clima de paz

— Describes a calm and harmonious atmosphere.

Finalmente o clima de paz voltou à família.

Clima de despedida

— The sad or nostalgic feeling when someone is leaving.

A última aula teve um clima de despedida.

Clima de insegurança

— A general feeling of fear or lack of safety in a place.

O clima de insegurança no bairro preocupa os moradores.

Clima de suspense

— An atmosphere of mystery or anticipation.

O livro cria um ótimo clima de suspense.

Clima de feriado

— The relaxed, lazy feeling of a holiday or long weekend.

Sexta-feira à tarde já tem clima de feriado.

Clima de vitória

— The celebratory mood after a success.

O clima de vitória tomou conta do vestiário.

Clima de renovação

— A feeling that things are changing for the better.

O ano novo traz um clima de renovação.

Se confunde a menudo con

clima vs tempo

Tempo is weather (short-term); Clima is climate (long-term).

clima vs clímax

Clímax is the peak of a story; Clima is the atmosphere.

clima vs atmosfera

Atmosfera is the physical air; Clima is the mood or weather pattern.

Modismos y expresiones

"Pintou um clima"

— When romantic or sexual tension suddenly arises between two people.

Pintou um clima entre o João e a Maria.

informal
"Quebrar o clima"

— To ruin the mood or atmosphere of a situation by saying or doing something inappropriate.

Ele quebrou o clima com aquela piada sem graça.

neutral
"Estar no clima"

— To be in the right mood for something.

Eu não estou no clima para sair hoje.

informal
"Clima pesado"

— A very tense, uncomfortable, or sad atmosphere.

Ficou um clima pesado depois da demissão.

neutral
"Clima de enterro"

— A extremely somber or sad atmosphere (literally 'funeral atmosphere').

O escritório ficou em clima de enterro após a notícia.

informal
"O clima esquentou"

— A situation became heated, either with anger or passion.

O clima esquentou durante o debate político.

neutral
"Criar um clima"

— To intentionally set the mood (often romantic).

Ele preparou flores e música para criar um clima.

neutral
"Clima de já ganhou"

— Overconfidence before a victory has actually been secured.

O time entrou em campo com clima de já ganhou e perdeu.

informal
"Sentir o clima"

— To gauge the atmosphere before acting or speaking.

Vou esperar um pouco para sentir o clima antes de pedir o aumento.

neutral
"Clima de azaração"

— A flirtatious atmosphere (typical of parties or clubs).

O clima de azaração estava forte na balada.

informal

Fácil de confundir

clima vs Tempo

Both translate to parts of 'weather' in English.

Tempo refers to the current state (rain, sun). Clima refers to the historical average (tropical, polar).

O tempo está chuvoso, mas o clima da região é seco.

clima vs Ambiente

Both can mean 'atmosphere'.

Ambiente is more about the physical space and surroundings. Clima is about the emotional or meteorological state.

O ambiente é bonito, mas o clima entre as pessoas é ruim.

clima vs Estação

Both relate to weather patterns.

Estação is a specific time of year (Spring, Summer). Clima is the overall type of weather the place has.

No verão, o clima tropical fica ainda mais úmido.

clima vs Temperatura

Climate is often judged by temperature.

Temperatura is a specific measurement (25 degrees). Clima is the whole system.

A temperatura subiu, mas o clima continua frio.

clima vs Vibe

Used for the same social meaning as 'clima'.

Vibe is English slang used by youth. Clima is the standard Portuguese word.

A vibe/clima da festa estava 10!

Patrones de oraciones

A1

O clima em [Place] é [Adjective].

O clima em Natal é quente.

A2

Eu gosto de [Adjective] clima.

Eu gosto de clima temperado.

B1

Há um clima de [Noun] no ar.

Há um clima de mistério no ar.

B2

O clima [Adjective] favorece [Activity].

O clima seco favorece a secagem dos grãos.

C1

Apesar do clima de [Noun], [Action].

Apesar do clima de desconfiança, eles assinaram o contrato.

C2

A conjuntura política criou um clima de [Noun].

A conjuntura política criou um clima de instabilidade institucional.

Any

Não [Verb] o clima!

Não estrague o clima!

Any

Pintou um clima.

Pintou um clima legal ontem.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

climatologia (climatology)
climatologista (climatologist)
climatização (climate control/AC)

Verbos

climatizar (to air condition/control climate)
aclimatar (to acclimate)
aclimatar-se (to acclimate oneself)

Adjetivos

climático (climatic)
climatizado (air-conditioned)
aclimatado (acclimated)

Relacionado

tempo (weather)
atmosfera (atmosphere)
meteorologia (meteorology)
ambiente (environment)
ecologia (ecology)

Cómo usarlo

frequency

Very frequent in both daily life and scientific/professional contexts.

Errores comunes
  • O clima está chovendo. O tempo está chuvoso. / Está chovendo.

    Clima is the long-term pattern. You cannot say the 'climate' is raining right now; you must use 'tempo'.

  • Eu gosto da clima de lá. Eu gosto do clima de lá.

    Clima is masculine. Using the feminine 'da' (de + a) is incorrect.

  • Qual é a clima hoje? Como está o tempo hoje?

    Incorrect word and incorrect gender. Use 'tempo' for 'today's weather'.

  • Mudanças de clima global. Mudanças climáticas globais.

    While 'mudanças de clima' is used for general changes, 'mudanças climáticas' is the standard term for the environmental crisis.

  • O clima estava muito quente na reunião (meaning 'angry'). O clima estava muito tenso na reunião.

    In English, 'heated' works for anger, but in Portuguese, 'tenso' or 'pesado' is better for a bad atmosphere. 'Quente' might imply passion or just high temperature.

Consejos

Masculine Match

Always pair 'clima' with masculine adjectives: 'clima bom', 'clima tenso', 'clima perfeito'.

Clima vs. Tempo

Use 'clima' for the long-term (years) and 'tempo' for the short-term (hours/days).

Romantic Vibe

Use 'Pintou um clima' when you notice two friends might like each other.

Office Mood

In job interviews, you can ask about the 'clima organizacional' to show you care about the work environment.

Climate Change

Use 'mudanças climáticas' to discuss global warming and environmental policy.

Packing Tips

Research the 'clima' of your destination so you know what kind of clothes to pack for the whole season.

Party Talk

Say 'O clima está ótimo!' to compliment a host on a successful party atmosphere.

No 'A Clima'

Repeat 'O clima' five times to burn it into your memory. It is a very common A1 mistake to say 'a clima'.

Scientific Terms

Learn 'semiárido', 'subtropical', and 'equatorial' to talk about Portuguese-speaking geographies.

Mood Breaker

If someone tells a sad story at a happy wedding, they are 'quebrando o clima'.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'Clima' as the 'Climate' of a 'Cinema'. A cinema has a controlled climate and a specific vibe (clima).

Asociación visual

Imagine a globe with different colors for hot and cold zones. This is the 'clima'. Now imagine a smiley face and a frowny face over a crowd. This is also the 'clima'.

Word Web

Tempo Sol Chuva Tropical Vibe Trabalho Mudança Terra

Desafío

Try to describe the 'clima' of your favorite movie and the 'clima' of your favorite vacation spot using three adjectives each.

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the Latin 'clima', which comes from the Ancient Greek 'klima' (κλίμα).

Significado original: The original Greek meaning was 'inclination' or 'slope', referring to the inclination of the Earth's axis towards the pole.

Indo-European > Hellenic > Greek > Latin > Romance > Portuguese.

Contexto cultural

Be careful when discussing 'clima organizacional' in a professional setting, as it can be a sensitive topic regarding employee morale.

English speakers often use 'atmosphere' or 'vibe' where Portuguese speakers use 'clima'. 'Climate' in English is rarely used for social situations, except in 'political climate'.

A música 'País Tropical' de Jorge Ben Jor menciona o clima. O termo 'Mudanças Climáticas' é central no discurso ambiental brasileiro. Novelas brasileiras frequentemente usam 'rolou um clima' em seus roteiros.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Geography Class

  • Tipos de clima
  • Clima equatorial
  • Zonas climáticas
  • Influência do clima

Office Environment

  • Melhorar o clima
  • Clima de trabalho
  • Conflitos no clima
  • Feedback de clima

Dating/Socializing

  • Rolou um clima
  • Estragar o clima
  • Clima romântico
  • Sentir o clima

Environmental News

  • Acordo do clima
  • Emergência climática
  • Crise do clima
  • Proteção do clima

Tourism

  • Clima ideal
  • Melhor clima para visitar
  • Clima de praia
  • Clima de inverno

Inicios de conversación

"Como é o clima na sua cidade natal durante o inverno?"

"Você prefere morar em um lugar com clima quente ou frio?"

"Você acha que o clima organizacional afeta muito o seu trabalho?"

"O que você faz para não deixar ninguém quebrar o clima em uma festa?"

"Você está preocupado com as mudanças no clima global?"

Temas para diario

Descreva o clima ideal para um dia de descanso perfeito.

Escreva sobre uma vez que 'pintou um clima' especial com alguém.

Como o clima da sua região influencia as roupas que você usa?

Reflita sobre como o clima organizacional da sua empresa poderia melhorar.

O que o seu país está fazendo para proteger o clima do planeta?

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Technically no. You should ask 'Como está o tempo?'. Using 'clima' sounds like you are asking about the general geographical climate.

It is masculine: 'o clima'. Even though it ends in 'a', it follows the Greek-origin rule for masculine nouns.

It's an informal way to say that romantic tension or a 'spark' suddenly appeared between two people.

The correct term is 'mudanças climáticas'. It is usually used in the plural.

It refers to the 'work atmosphere' or employee morale within a company.

Clima is for weather patterns or social moods. Atmosfera is for the physical air layer or a very specific artistic mood.

You say 'Não quebre o clima!' or 'Não estrague o clima!'.

Yes, both the scientific and figurative meanings are used in both countries, though some slang like 'pintou um clima' is more common in Brazil.

Tropical, seco, úmido, temperado, ameno, pesado, tenso, agradável.

No. 'Tempo' means time. 'Clima' never refers to hours or duration.

Ponte a prueba 200 preguntas

writing

Describe the climate of your favorite city in Portuguese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Write a short story about a party where someone 'quebrou o clima'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Explain the importance of the 'clima organizacional' in a company.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Write five sentences using different types of climates (e.g., tropical, seco).

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

What are the main causes of 'mudanças climáticas' in your opinion?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Describe a situation where 'pintou um clima' between two people.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Compare the climate of Brazil with the climate of Portugal.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Write a dialogue between two coworkers discussing the 'clima pesado' in the office.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

How does the climate influence the culture of a country?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Describe the 'clima de Natal' in your family.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Write a formal email requesting a 'pesquisa de clima' for your department.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

What is the 'clima de montanha' like? Describe the sensations.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Explain the difference between 'clima' and 'tempo' to a beginner.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Write a movie review focusing on the 'clima de suspense'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

How can we improve the 'clima' of a tense family dinner?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Describe the 'clima de euforia' during a world cup.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

What are the benefits of a 'clima ameno' for health?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Write about a 'clima de despedida' you experienced.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

How does a 'clima de insegurança' affect a city's economy?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Create an advertisement for a hotel highlighting its 'climatização'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Talk for one minute about the climate in your country.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Roleplay: You are an HR manager explaining the 'clima organizacional' to a new hire.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Describe a 'clima de festa' you attended recently.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Discuss the impact of 'mudanças climáticas' on your life.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Explain the idiom 'quebrar o clima' to a friend.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

What is the 'clima' like in your office or school? Describe it.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Tell a story where 'pintou um clima' between two friends.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Which climate do you prefer for living? Why?

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Describe the 'clima de suspense' in a movie you saw.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

How do you 'sentir o clima' before asking for a favor?

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Discuss the 'clima político' in your city.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Pronounce correctly: 'clima', 'climático', 'climatização'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

What happens when someone 'estraga o clima' of a dinner?

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Describe the 'clima de montanha' versus 'clima de praia'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Talk about the 'clima de Natal' in Brazil.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Explain the difference between 'clima' and 'tempo' in your own words.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

What is a 'clima de já ganhou'? Give an example from sports.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Describe the 'clima de euforia' at a music festival.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

How does 'climatização' improve our quality of life?

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Discuss the 'clima de incerteza' in modern times.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to a weather report and count how many times they say 'clima' vs 'tempo'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to a dialogue and identify if the 'clima' is positive or negative.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to an HR presentation and note the key points of the 'pesquisa de clima'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to a song (e.g., 'País Tropical') and catch the word 'clima'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to a documentary clip about the Amazon and note the climate description.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to a conversation about a date and identify if 'pintou um clima'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to a news report on 'mudanças climáticas' and list the consequences mentioned.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to a podcast about 'clima organizacional' and define its components.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to a teacher explaining the difference between 'clima' and 'tempo'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to a movie trailer and describe the 'clima de suspense'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to a person describing their hometown's climate.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to a protest speech and identify the 'clima de indignação'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to a commercial for an AC system and identify the word 'climatizado'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to a discussion about 'clima político' and identify the speakers' opinions.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to a story about a 'clima de despedida' at an airport.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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