Pôr a mesa.
Set the table.
بهطور تحتاللفظی: {"p\u00f4r":"to put","a":"the","mesa":"table"}
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Set the table for a meal.
- Includes plates, cutlery, glasses.
- Common in home settings.
- Signals mealtime is approaching.
معنی
مرتب کردن بشقابها، قاشق و چنگال و لیوان برای صرف غذا. این کار مربوط به آمادهسازی فضای غذاخوری برای استقبال از افراد برای خوردن غذا است.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 12Texting a friend about dinner plans
A que horas chegas? Quase a pôr a mesa para o jantar.
What time are you arriving? I'm about to set the table for dinner.
Family member asking for help
Podes ajudar-me a pôr a mesa, por favor? Os teus avós vão gostar.
Can you help me set the table, please? Your grandparents will like it.
At home, preparing lunch
Eu trato do almoço, tu põe a mesa.
I'll handle the lunch, you set the table.
زمینه فرهنگی
In Portugal, setting the table almost always includes a 'cesto de pão' (bread basket). Bread is a staple and is never missing from a set table. The 'Mesa Posta' trend is huge in Brazil. People use 'jogos americanos' (placemats) and 'sousplats' to create beautiful, Instagram-worthy tables. In many Angolan homes, 'pôr a mesa' for guests is an act of extreme generosity, often involving multiple dishes served at once. It is considered polite for children to ask 'Posso ajudar a pôr a mesa?' (Can I help set the table?) when visiting someone's home.
The Brazilian Way
If you are in Brazil, use 'arrumar a mesa' to sound more like a local in casual settings.
The Accent Matters
Always write 'pôr' with an accent. 'Por' (without accent) means 'by' or 'for'.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Set the table for a meal.
- Includes plates, cutlery, glasses.
- Common in home settings.
- Signals mealtime is approaching.
What It Means
'Pôr a mesa' is a super common Portuguese phrase. It literally means 'to put the table.' But it's not just about putting a tablecloth on it! It means arranging everything needed for a meal. This includes plates, cutlery (forks, knives, spoons), glasses, and napkins. It's the whole setup before people start eating. It’s a cozy, practical action that makes a meal feel special. It signals that food is coming soon!
How To Use It
You use pôr a mesa when you're preparing to serve a meal. It's an active verb phrase. You'll often hear it said by someone in charge of the household. Or maybe a friend helping out. It’s something you do right before everyone gathers. You can say Eu vou pôr a mesa (I'm going to set the table). Or Já puseste a mesa? (Did you set the table?). It’s direct and functional.
Real-Life Examples
- Mom: 'Filho, podes pôr a mesa enquanto eu preparo o arroz?' (Son, can you set the table while I prepare the rice?)
- Friend 1: 'A pizza vai chegar em 10 minutos!' (The pizza will arrive in 10 minutes!)
- Friend 2: 'Ok, vou pôr a mesa rápido.' (Ok, I'll set the table quickly.)
- You see a Netflix show about a family dinner. The character says, 'Ajuda-me a pôr a mesa, por favor.' (Help me set the table, please.)
- It's a typical chore you might assign. 'Quem vai pôr a mesa hoje?' (Who's going to set the table today?)
When To Use It
Use pôr a mesa for any meal at home. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It's perfect for family meals. It works for casual get-togethers with friends. You can even use it if you're hosting a slightly more formal dinner at home. It signals readiness for eating. It’s the essential step before the feast begins. Think of it as the prelude to dining.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use pôr a mesa for meals eaten outside the home. Like at a restaurant. The restaurant staff sets the tables there. You wouldn't say Eu pus a mesa no restaurante (I set the table at the restaurant). That sounds very odd. Also, avoid it if you're just putting out snacks. For example, chips and dip for a movie night. That's usually not considered pôr a mesa. It’s specifically for a full meal setup.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes mix up pôr with other verbs. Or they might try to use a different noun. It’s easy to get tangled! The key is that pôr means 'to put' or 'to place' in this context. And mesa is specifically 'table.' Trying to substitute these words often leads to confusion. It’s like trying to build a LEGO castle with Play-Doh – it just doesn't work.
Colocar a mesa
✓Pôr a mesa (While colocar means 'to place', pôr is the standard verb here.)
Preparar a mesa
✓Pôr a mesa (Preparar is too general; pôr is specific to setting.)
Pôr o jantar
✓Pôr a mesa para o jantar (Pôr o jantar means to serve the dinner, not set the table.)
Similar Expressions
While pôr a mesa is the most common, you might hear slight variations. Sometimes people say arrumar a mesa which can mean setting the table, but often implies clearing it too. Context is key! Servir a mesa means to serve the food *after* the table is set. It’s like the next act in the dining play. Montar a mesa is also used, especially in Brazil, meaning to assemble or set up the table.
Common Variations
In Brazil, you might hear montar a mesa. It means essentially the same thing: setting up the table for a meal. It has a slightly more 'assembly' feel. Like you're building the dining experience. Arrumar a mesa can sometimes mean setting it, but it’s more ambiguous. It often means tidying up or clearing the table after a meal. So, stick to pôr a mesa to be safe and clear. It's the gold standard!
Memory Trick
Imagine a Panda PÔR-ing Pasta on a MESA-sized plate. The panda is getting ready for a big meal! The Pôr sounds like 'pour' (like pouring sauce) and Mesa sounds like 'messy' (because a meal can get messy!). So, a panda pouring pasta onto a messy table means you're setting the table for a meal. A bit silly, but it sticks!
Quick FAQ
- Q: Is
pôr a mesaused in Brazil?
A: Yes, it's widely understood! Montar a mesa is also very common there.
- Q: Can I use it for a picnic?
A: Not usually. A picnic involves a blanket, not a table. So, pôr a mesa doesn't fit.
- Q: What if I just put out plates?
A: That's part of it! Pôr a mesa is the whole process of getting ready.
Real Conversations
Speaker 1: 'A fome está a bater!' (Hunger is striking!)
Speaker 2: 'Eu sei! Vou pôr a mesa. Tu queres pôr os copos?' (I know! I'll set the table. Do you want to put out the glasses?)
Speaker 1: 'Chegaram os convidados!' (The guests have arrived!)
Speaker 2: 'Rápido, põe a mesa! Eu vou buscar o vinho.' (Quick, set the table! I'll get the wine.)
Speaker 1: 'O que queres que eu faça para ajudar?' (What do you want me to do to help?)
Speaker 2: 'Podes pôr a mesa, por favor? Só falta isso.' (Can you set the table, please? It's the only thing left.)
نکات کاربردی
This is a highly common and versatile phrase, suitable for most informal and neutral contexts. While not strictly formal, it can be used when describing domestic routines in slightly more formal settings, like a job interview. Avoid using it in restaurants where the staff handles table setting. The verb 'pôr' is key; using synonyms like 'colocar' or 'fazer' sounds unnatural.
The Brazilian Way
If you are in Brazil, use 'arrumar a mesa' to sound more like a local in casual settings.
The Accent Matters
Always write 'pôr' with an accent. 'Por' (without accent) means 'by' or 'for'.
Opposites Attract
Learn 'pôr a mesa' and 'tirar a mesa' together as a pair to remember them better.
Hospitality
In Portugal, if you are a guest, offering to help 'pôr a mesa' is a great way to show good manners.
مثالها
12A que horas chegas? Quase a pôr a mesa para o jantar.
What time are you arriving? I'm about to set the table for dinner.
Shows the phrase used in anticipation of a meal.
Podes ajudar-me a pôr a mesa, por favor? Os teus avós vão gostar.
Can you help me set the table, please? Your grandparents will like it.
Highlights the helpful, domestic aspect of the phrase.
Eu trato do almoço, tu põe a mesa.
I'll handle the lunch, you set the table.
A common division of tasks for a meal.
Noite perfeita em casa. Adoro pôr a mesa para um jantar especial. ✨
Perfect night at home. I love setting the table for a special dinner. ✨
Used to describe a pleasant domestic activity.
Chego em 15 min! Já podes ir pondo a mesa.
I'll arrive in 15 mins! You can start setting the table.
Modern communication, implying the action is about to start.
Nos fins de semana, gosto de cozinhar e pôr a mesa para a família.
On weekends, I like to cook and set the table for the family.
Shows the phrase in a slightly more formal context, describing a regular activity.
Ajudamos a anfitriã a pôr a mesa antes da chegada dos convidados.
We helped the hostess set the table before the guests arrived.
Describes the action in a structured, polite setting.
O meu filho acha que pôr a mesa significa só atirar os garfos para o ar.
My son thinks setting the table just means throwing forks in the air.
A lighthearted joke about a child's interpretation of the task.
Ver a mesa posta com tanto carinho traz-me sempre memórias felizes.
Seeing the table set with such care always brings me happy memories.
Focuses on the emotional significance of a well-set table.
✗ Vou colocar a mesa para o jantar. → ✓ Vou pôr a mesa para o jantar.
✗ I'm going to place the table for dinner. → ✓ I'm going to set the table for dinner.
`Colocar` is understandable but `pôr` is the idiomatic choice here.
✗ Ele preparou a mesa muito depressa. → ✓ Ele pôs a mesa muito depressa.
✗ He prepared the table very quickly. → ✓ He set the table very quickly.
`Preparar` is too broad; `pôr` is specific to the physical arrangement.
A comida está quase a chegar! Anda, põe a mesa!
The food is almost here! Come on, set the table!
Urgent instruction when food is imminent.
خودت رو بسنج
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'pôr'.
Ontem, a minha irmã ________ a mesa para o almoço.
'Ontem' indicates the past (pretérito perfeito). 'A minha irmã' is the third person singular.
Which phrase is the most natural for 'setting the table' in Brazil?
Como se diz 'set the table' informalmente no Brasil?
'Arrumar a mesa' is the most common informal variation in Brazil.
Complete the dialogue.
Mãe: O jantar está pronto! Filho: Ok, eu vou ________ a mesa agora.
Before eating, you 'pôr' the table.
Match the action to the phrase.
You just finished eating and want to clear the plates.
'Tirar a mesa' is the opposite of 'pôr a mesa'.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Items for 'Pôr a Mesa'
Utensils
- • Garfo
- • Faca
- • Colher
Crockery
- • Prato
- • Copo
- • Taça
بانک تمرین
4 تمرینهاOntem, a minha irmã ________ a mesa para o almoço.
'Ontem' indicates the past (pretérito perfeito). 'A minha irmã' is the third person singular.
Como se diz 'set the table' informalmente no Brasil?
'Arrumar a mesa' is the most common informal variation in Brazil.
Mãe: O jantar está pronto! Filho: Ok, eu vou ________ a mesa agora.
Before eating, you 'pôr' the table.
You just finished eating and want to clear the plates.
'Tirar a mesa' is the opposite of 'pôr a mesa'.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
آموزشهای ویدیویی
آموزشهای ویدیویی این عبارت را در یوتیوب پیدا کنید.
سوالات متداول
14 سوالIt is neutral. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
It is grammatically correct but less idiomatic than 'pôr a mesa'.
'Pôr' is the standard verb for setting. 'Arrumar' implies organizing or tidying up and is very common in Brazil.
It is 'eu pus', 'você pôs', 'nós pusemos', 'eles puseram'.
Yes, it is always 'pôr **a** mesa'.
You can say 'pôr o meu lugar' or still use 'pôr a mesa' generally.
Yes, it is a universal phrase across the Lusophone world.
It refers to the aesthetic art of setting a beautiful table, often for social media or special events.
To distinguish the verb from the preposition 'por'.
Usually, we say 'preparar o piquenique', but if you lay out a cloth and plates, you could say it.
The opposite is 'tirar a mesa'.
'Pôr a mesa' means to set it. 'Pôr na mesa' means to put something (like a book) on top of the table.
Yes, it works for any meal: breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Yes, it's one of the first household phrases children learn.
عبارات مرتبط
Tirar a mesa
contrastTo clear the table
Arrumar a mesa
similarTo organize/set the table
Servir a mesa
builds onTo serve the table
Lugar à mesa
specialized formA place at the table
Mesa posta
specialized formA set table (aesthetic)
