When you are learning Portuguese, you will quickly notice that many common English verbs are not translated directly into Portuguese. A good example of this is the verb 'to take'. In Portuguese, the verb 'tomar' is used in many situations where we would use 'to take' in English, but it also has other uses. One common use is with drinks, like 'tomar café' (to have coffee). But here’s a tip: 'tomar café' can also mean 'to have breakfast'! This is because in many Portuguese-speaking cultures, coffee is a central part of the breakfast meal. So, depending on the context, 'Eu vou tomar café' could mean 'I am going to have coffee' or 'I am going to have breakfast'. Pay attention to the situation to understand which meaning is intended.

When you're learning Portuguese at the A2 level, you're starting to build more complex sentences and understand common daily routines. The phrase tomar café is a perfect example of a phrase that seems simple but has a dual meaning depending on context. Mastering these nuances helps you sound more natural.

Understanding that it can mean both 'to have coffee' and 'to have breakfast' is crucial. You'll hear it used frequently in both ways. Paying attention to the surrounding words will usually make the meaning clear, for instance, if someone mentions food items with 'tomar café', they likely mean breakfast.

When you hear a Portuguese speaker say tomar café, the most common meaning is to have breakfast. The word café can mean coffee as a beverage, but it also means breakfast. So, if someone asks you, Você quer tomar café? they are most likely asking if you want to have breakfast, not just a cup of coffee. If you only want to drink coffee, you would usually specify by saying tomar um café or beber um café. Context is key, but generally, tomar café on its own implies the meal.

راهنمای تلفظ

UK /tomaʁ kafi/
US /tomaʁ kafi/
The stress is on the last syllable of each word: to-MAR, ca-FÉ.
هم‌قافیه با
mar (sea) fazer (to do/make) saber (to know)
خطاهای رایج
  • Mispronouncing the 'r' at the end of 'tomar' as an English 'r' sound. In Portuguese, it's often a softer, almost 'h'-like sound or can be rolled, depending on the region.
  • Failing to fully pronounce the open 'e' sound in 'café', which is similar to the 'e' in 'bed'.

سطح دشواری

خواندن 1/5

short and common phrase

نوشتن 1/5

straightforward usage

صحبت کردن 1/5

high frequency of use

گوش دادن 1/5

very common expression

بعداً چه یاد بگیریم؟

پیش‌نیازها

tomar (verb: to take, to have, to drink) café (noun: coffee; breakfast)

بعداً یاد بگیرید

almoçar (verb: to have lunch) jantar (verb: to have dinner)

پیشرفته

o pequeno-almoço (noun: breakfast - more common in Portugal) o lanche (noun: snack; afternoon tea) uma xícara de café (a cup of coffee)

مثال‌ها بر اساس سطح

1

Todos os domingos, antes de irmos à praia, costumamos tomar café na padaria da esquina.

Every Sunday, before we go to the beach, we usually have breakfast at the corner bakery.

Using 'costumamos' (we are used to) to indicate a regular habit.

2

Para começar bem o dia, ele sempre toma um café forte com um pouco de leite e açúcar.

To start the day well, he always has a strong coffee with a little milk and sugar.

The article 'um' before 'café' emphasizes one serving of coffee.

3

Depois da corrida matinal, a primeira coisa que faço é tomar café enquanto leio as notícias.

After my morning run, the first thing I do is have coffee while reading the news.

The gerund 'lendo' (reading) shows simultaneous action.

4

Eu adoraria tomar café com você amanhã de manhã para discutirmos os planos do projeto.

I would love to have coffee with you tomorrow morning to discuss the project plans.

Using 'adoraria' (I would love) for a polite invitation.

5

Eles decidiram tomar café da manhã na varanda, aproveitando o sol e a brisa suave.

They decided to have breakfast on the balcony, enjoying the sun and the gentle breeze.

Using 'decidiram' (they decided) in the past tense.

6

Será que teremos tempo para tomar café antes de sairmos para o aeroporto?

Will we have time to have breakfast before we leave for the airport?

Interrogative sentence asking about future possibility.

7

Mesmo com pressa, ela nunca dispensa tomar um café rápido para se manter acordada.

Even in a hurry, she never skips having a quick coffee to stay awake.

The verb 'dispensar' (to skip/do without) followed by an infinitive.

8

Quando viajamos, sempre experimentamos diferentes lugares para tomar café e provar especialidades locais.

When we travel, we always try different places to have breakfast and taste local specialties.

Using 'sempre' (always) to describe a recurring action during travel.

نحوه استفاده

"Tomar café" is an essential and frequently used expression in Portuguese, serving two primary meanings depending on context: to drink coffee and to have breakfast. When referring to the act of drinking coffee, it's quite straightforward. For example:

  • Eu gosto de tomar café de manhã. (I like to drink coffee in the morning.)
  • Vamos tomar um café? (Shall we have a coffee? / Let's grab a coffee?)
Its second, and perhaps more nuanced, meaning is to have breakfast. This is a common idiom in Portuguese. You'll often hear it in phrases like:
  • Onde você quer tomar café hoje? (Where do you want to have breakfast today?)
  • Nós sempre tomamos café juntos no domingo. (We always have breakfast together on Sunday.)
Context usually makes the meaning clear. If you're talking about the morning meal, it's breakfast. If you're specifically referring to the beverage, it's drinking coffee. Sometimes, to avoid ambiguity when referring to the beverage, Brazilians might say "tomar um cafezinho" (have a little coffee) or specify the drink if context isn't enough, although "tomar café" for the drink is perfectly natural too.

اشتباهات رایج

A common mistake for English speakers is to directly translate "to have breakfast" as "ter café da manhã" or "comer o café da manhã." While these are grammatically understandable, they sound unnatural to native Portuguese speakers. The idiomatic and correct way is always "tomar café". Another point of confusion can arise from the dual meaning. Learners might use "tomar café" to mean only "drink coffee" and then struggle to express "have breakfast." Remember, both meanings are valid and common. Incorrect:

  • Eu vou comer o café da manhã. (I'm going to eat the breakfast.)
  • Nós temos o café da manhã na padaria. (We have the breakfast at the bakery.)
Correct:
  • Eu vou tomar café. (I'm going to have breakfast / I'm going to drink coffee.)
  • Nós tomamos café na padaria. (We had breakfast at the bakery.)

حفظ کنید

روش یادسپاری

Imagine 'Tom' taking a 'Cafe' (like a small cafe shop) with him everywhere he goes. He's always 'having coffee' or 'having breakfast'.

تداعی تصویری

Picture a steaming cup of coffee next to a plate of breakfast foods (like toast, fruit, eggs) with the words 'tomar café' written on the cup.

شبکه واژگان

café da manhã (breakfast) beber (to drink) comer (to eat) pequeno-almoço (breakfast - European Portuguese) desjejum (breakfast - more formal)

چالش

Describe your typical morning routine in Portuguese, focusing on when and what you 'tomar café'. For example: 'Eu acordo às 7h e tomo café às 7h30. Eu como pão e bebo café com leite.'

سوالات متداول

10 سوال

Literally, "tomar café" translates to "to take coffee." However, in common usage, it has broader meanings.

No, "tomar café" can mean both to drink coffee and to have breakfast. The context usually makes it clear.

You would say, "Estou a tomar café" (European Portuguese) or "Estou tomando café" (Brazilian Portuguese). You can also simply say "Tomo café" for a regular action.

You can use "Estou a tomar café" or "Estou tomando café" if you're referring to the meal. Sometimes, especially in Brazil, you might hear "Estou a tomar o pequeno-almoço" (EP) or "Estou tomando o café da manhã" (BP) for more clarity, but "tomar café" is very common.

While "beber café" specifically means 'to drink coffee,' "tomar café" is more versatile, encompassing both drinking coffee and having breakfast. Think of "tomar" as 'to take' or 'to have' a drink or a meal.

No, "tomar café" is specifically for coffee or breakfast. For lunch, you'd use "almoçar," and for dinner, "jantar."

It's a common and natural phrase used in both formal and informal contexts.

Claro! Here's one: "Vamos tomar café depois do trabalho?" (Let's have coffee after work?)

Aqui está: "Eu sempre tomo café às sete da manhã." (I always have breakfast at seven in the morning.)

You can ask, "Queres tomar café?" (Do you want to have coffee/breakfast?).

خودت رو بسنج 54 سوال

multiple choice A1

Which of these means 'to have coffee' or 'to have breakfast'?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: tomar café

'Tomar café' is a common Portuguese expression for having coffee or breakfast.

multiple choice A1

If someone says 'Eu quero tomar café.', what do they want to do?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Have breakfast

'Tomar café' can mean to have breakfast.

multiple choice A1

Which word is essential in the phrase 'to have coffee'?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: café

'Café' means coffee, and it's part of the expression 'tomar café'.

true false A1

The phrase 'tomar café' always means to drink only coffee.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: نادرست

'Tomar café' can also mean to have breakfast, which includes more than just coffee.

true false A1

If you say 'Eu vou tomar café agora', you are going to have breakfast or coffee.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: درست

This is a correct use of 'tomar café' to indicate having breakfast or coffee.

true false A1

You can use 'tomar café' to say you are eating lunch.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: نادرست

'Tomar café' is for coffee or breakfast, not lunch. Lunch is 'almoçar'.

multiple choice B1

Choose the correct option: Maria _______ todas as manhãs antes de ir trabalhar.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: toma café

The verb 'tomar' needs to be conjugated to 'toma' for the third person singular (Maria).

multiple choice B1

Qual frase está correta? (Which sentence is correct?)

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Nós gostamos de tomar café juntos no fim de semana.

The verb 'gostar' is conjugated correctly as 'gostamos' for 'nós'. 'Café' remains singular.

multiple choice B1

Se você está com fome pela manhã, você pode ______.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: tomar café

In Portuguese, 'tomar café' means 'to have breakfast', which is what you do when you are hungry in the morning.

true false B1

A frase 'Vou tomar café agora' significa 'I am going to have dinner now'.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: نادرست

'Vou tomar café agora' means 'I am going to have coffee/breakfast now', not dinner.

true false B1

É comum no Brasil usar 'tomar café' para se referir à primeira refeição do dia.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: درست

Yes, 'tomar café' is widely used in Brazil to mean 'to have breakfast'.

true false B1

A expressão 'tomar café' só pode ser usada para beber a bebida café, e nunca para uma refeição.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: نادرست

The expression 'tomar café' can refer to both drinking coffee and having breakfast.

listening B1

What do I always have with milk in the morning?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Eu sempre tomo café com leite pela manhã.
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening B1

What are we doing together tomorrow?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Vamos tomar café juntos amanhã?
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening B1

Where does she like to have coffee after work?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Depois do trabalho, ela gosta de tomar café em casa.
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking B1

این را بلند بخوانید:

Você toma café da manhã todos os dias?

تمرکز: café da manhã

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking B1

این را بلند بخوانید:

Com quem você gosta de tomar café?

تمرکز: com quem

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking B1

این را بلند بخوانید:

Que horas você geralmente toma café?

تمرکز: que horas

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
fill blank B2

Amanhã de manhã, vou ___ com a minha família, como fazemos todos os domingos.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: tomar café

The context 'todos os domingos' (every Sunday) suggests a regular morning activity. 'Tomar café' (to have breakfast) fits perfectly with this routine. The other options don't make sense in this context.

fill blank B2

Ele sempre gosta de ___ um café forte antes de começar a trabalhar, para ter energia.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: tomar

In Portuguese, 'tomar café' is the idiomatic expression for 'to have coffee' or 'to have breakfast'. While 'beber' (to drink) is possible, 'tomar' is the more natural and common verb used in this context.

fill blank B2

Depois da corrida matinal, nada melhor do que ___ um café da manhã reforçado.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: tomar

Similar to the previous exercise, 'tomar café da manhã' is the standard way to say 'to have breakfast' in Portuguese. 'Fazer' (to make) or 'preparar' (to prepare) would refer to the act of making the meal, not consuming it.

fill blank B2

Eles combinaram de ___ juntos no sábado para discutir os planos da viagem.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: tomar café

The phrase 'tomar café' can also mean 'to have coffee' in the sense of meeting for coffee. Given the context of discussing travel plans, a coffee meeting ('tomar café') is a very common scenario.

fill blank B2

Se você estiver com pressa, podemos ___ um café rápido no balcão da padaria.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: tomar

This sentence refers to having a quick coffee. 'Tomar um café' is the correct and most natural expression for this. 'Pegar' (to grab) could be used in some informal contexts, but 'tomar' is more generally applicable for consuming beverages.

fill blank B2

Sinto falta de ___ um café da manhã com pão de queijo e frutas frescas quando visito o Brasil.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: tomar

The expression 'tomar um café da manhã' is the correct way to say 'to have breakfast' in Portuguese. The sentence describes the act of consuming the meal.

sentence order B2

کلمات زیر رو بزن تا جمله رو بسازی
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: ela sempre toma café com leite

This sentence describes someone regularly having coffee with milk. The adverb 'sempre' (always) comes after the subject 'ela' (she) and before the verb 'toma' (has). 'Com leite' (with milk) follows 'café' (coffee).

sentence order B2

کلمات زیر رو بزن تا جمله رو بسازی
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: nós vamos tomar café juntos amanhã

This sentence expresses a future intention to have coffee together. 'Nós' (we) is the subject, followed by the auxiliary verb 'vamos' (are going to) and the infinitive 'tomar café' (have coffee). 'Juntos' (together) and 'amanhã' (tomorrow) complete the sentence.

sentence order B2

کلمات زیر رو بزن تا جمله رو بسازی
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: vocês já tomaram café da manhã hoje?

This is a question about whether someone has already had breakfast today. 'Vocês' (you all) is the subject, 'já' (already) indicates completion, and 'tomaram' (have had) is the past participle. 'Café da manhã' (breakfast) is the object, and 'hoje' (today) specifies the time.

listening C1

Focus on the phrase for 'to have breakfast'.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Apesar do meu horário apertado, sempre arranjo um tempo para tomar café da manhã com a minha família.
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening C1

Listen for the action of having a strong coffee.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Depois de uma noite de trabalho, nada melhor do que tomar um café forte para reanimar.
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening C1

Pay attention to where and when they have coffee together.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Eles costumam tomar café juntos todas as manhãs no centro da cidade, antes de irem para o trabalho.
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking C1

این را بلند بخوانید:

Mesmo com a correria do dia a dia, é importante tomar um café da manhã nutritivo.

تمرکز: tomar um café da manhã

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking C1

این را بلند بخوانید:

Se você me esperar um minuto, podemos tomar um café rápido antes da reunião.

تمرکز: tomar um café rápido

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking C1

این را بلند بخوانید:

Gostaria de tomar café com leite ou prefere puro?

تمرکز: tomar café com leite

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
multiple choice C2

Após uma noite agitada de estudos, o estudante decidiu ______ para recuperar as energias antes de ir para a universidade.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: tomar café

No contexto, 'tomar café' é a ação mais apropriada para recuperar energias pela manhã, referindo-se a tomar o café da manhã.

multiple choice C2

A avó sempre insistia para que os netos viessem à sua casa aos domingos para ______ juntos e contarem as novidades.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: tomar café

Neste contexto, 'tomar café' significa reunir-se para o café da manhã, um momento social importante para a família.

multiple choice C2

Mesmo com a pressa, a equipe fez questão de ______ antes da reunião importante, para discutirem os últimos detalhes informalmente.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: tomar café

Aqui, 'tomar café' refere-se à pausa para o café, um momento comum para discussões informais e preparação para eventos importantes.

true false C2

Se alguém diz 'Vamos tomar café amanhã cedo?', isso sempre significa ir a uma cafeteria para beber café preto.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: نادرست

Embora possa significar ir a uma cafeteria, 'tomar café' também pode se referir a tomar o café da manhã em casa, ou a uma refeição mais elaborada no início do dia, não apenas beber café preto.

true false C2

No Brasil, é comum a expressão 'tomar café' ser usada para se referir à primeira refeição do dia, que inclui pão, frutas e sucos, além do café propriamente dito.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: درست

Sim, no Brasil, 'tomar café' frequentemente engloba todo o café da manhã, que é uma refeição completa e não apenas a bebida.

true false C2

A frase 'Não tive tempo de tomar café hoje' implica que a pessoa não conseguiu beber a bebida café especificamente, e não que ela pulou o café da manhã inteiro.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: نادرست

A frase geralmente implica que a pessoa não teve tempo para a refeição do café da manhã completa, e não apenas para a bebida café. É uma elipse comum no português para se referir à refeição.

listening C2

Maria is going to have breakfast with friends on Saturday. Listen for the full phrase.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: A Maria vai tomar café da manhã com os amigos no sábado.
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening C2

To have a good coffee, I always ask for a strong espresso. Focus on the nuances.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Para tomar um bom café, sempre peço um expresso forte.
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening C2

After having breakfast and reading the news, he felt ready for the day. Pay attention to the sequence of actions.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Depois de tomar café e ler as notícias, ele se sentia pronto para o dia.
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking C2

این را بلند بخوانید:

Eu gostaria de tomar café da manhã na padaria da esquina.

تمرکز: tomar café da manhã

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking C2

این را بلند بخوانید:

Você sempre toma café preto ou prefere com leite?

تمرکز: toma café preto

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking C2

این را بلند بخوانید:

Eles decidiram tomar café e conversar sobre os planos para a viagem.

تمرکز: tomar café e conversar

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
sentence order C2

کلمات زیر رو بزن تا جمله رو بسازی
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: ela sempre toma café comigo às manhãs

This sentence means 'She always has coffee with me in the mornings.' The word order follows the typical Portuguese structure of subject, adverb, verb, object, and then a time phrase.

sentence order C2

کلمات زیر رو بزن تا جمله رو بسازی
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: nós vamos tomar café naquela nova padaria

This sentence translates to 'We are going to have coffee at that new bakery.' The auxiliary verb 'ir' (to go) in the future tense is followed by the infinitive 'tomar café', and then the location.

sentence order C2

کلمات زیر رو بزن تا جمله رو بسازی
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: vocês já tomaram café hoje de manhã?

This question means 'Did you all already have breakfast this morning?' The past participle 'tomaram' is used with 'já' (already) to inquire about a completed action.

/ 54 درست

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