En 15 secondes
- The standard way to say 'you're welcome' in Portuguese.
- Literally means 'for nothing,' implying the favor was no trouble.
- Works in almost every social situation, from shops to friends.
Signification
This is the most common way to say 'you're welcome' in Portuguese. It literally suggests that the favor you did was 'for nothing,' meaning it was no trouble at all.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6At a coffee shop
— Aqui está o seu café. — Obrigado! — Por nada.
— Here is your coffee. — Thanks! — You're welcome.
Helping a colleague
— Valeu pela ajuda no relatório! — Por nada, conte comigo.
— Thanks for the help with the report! — No problem, count on me.
Texting a friend
— Obrigado por mandar o link! — Por nada! 😉
— Thanks for sending the link! — You're welcome! 😉
Contexte culturel
Brazilians often follow 'Por nada' with 'Imagina' to sound even friendlier. It's part of the 'cordial man' concept in Brazilian sociology. In Portugal, 'De nada' is the standard. 'Por nada' is often perceived as a 'Brasileirismo' (Brazilianism). In the south, 'Capaz' is a very common substitute for 'Por nada'. It carries a sense of 'Don't even mention it!'. Angolan Portuguese is very polite and often uses 'De nada' or 'Estamos juntos' (We are together) as a response to thanks.
The Smile Factor
In Brazil, 'Por nada' is 50% words and 50% body language. Always accompany it with a friendly nod or smile.
Don't overthink 'Por' vs 'De'
Both are correct. If you get stuck, just pick one. 'De nada' is slightly more universal across all Portuguese-speaking countries.
En 15 secondes
- The standard way to say 'you're welcome' in Portuguese.
- Literally means 'for nothing,' implying the favor was no trouble.
- Works in almost every social situation, from shops to friends.
What It Means
Think of por nada as your go-to response for kindness. It is the bread and butter of Portuguese politeness. When someone says obrigado, you say this. It tells the other person the favor was small. It means you were happy to help. It is humble and warm.
How To Use It
Using it is incredibly simple. Just drop it right after someone thanks you. You do not need to change the words. It works for men and women alike. It is the perfect reflex for any social interaction. You will hear it dozens of times a day.
When To Use It
Use it when a stranger holds a door. Use it when a colleague helps with a file. It is perfect at a restaurant when the waiter brings water. It works beautifully when texting a friend. If someone expresses gratitude, this is your safety net. It makes you sound like a local instantly.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid it in extremely high-stakes formal ceremonies. If you are receiving a national medal, use something fancier. Do not use it if you are actually annoyed. If someone is being sarcastic, your por nada might sound sarcastic too. Otherwise, it is very hard to mess this up. It is the ultimate 'safe' phrase.
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers value being seen as helpful and humble. Saying 'for nothing' downplays your effort to make the other person comfortable. It removes the 'debt' of the favor. In Brazil, people might say it with a sing-song tone. In Portugal, it might be shorter and quicker. Both versions carry the same warm spirit of community.
Common Variations
You will often hear de nada which is identical in meaning. Some people say não há de quê for extra class. In Brazil, you might hear imagina for a stylish touch. If you want to be super casual, try que isso. But por nada remains the king of versatility. It is the classic choice for any learner.
Notes d'usage
Extremely versatile. It sits right in the middle of the formality scale, making it safe for almost any interaction from a street vendor to a business partner.
The Smile Factor
In Brazil, 'Por nada' is 50% words and 50% body language. Always accompany it with a friendly nod or smile.
Don't overthink 'Por' vs 'De'
Both are correct. If you get stuck, just pick one. 'De nada' is slightly more universal across all Portuguese-speaking countries.
Use 'Imagina' for extra flair
If you want to sound like a local in São Paulo, use 'Imagina' instead of 'Por nada'. It sounds very sophisticated and warm.
The 'Eu que agradeço' trick
If someone thanks you for buying something from them, say 'Eu que agradeço'. It's more polite than 'Por nada' in business.
Exemples
6— Aqui está o seu café. — Obrigado! — Por nada.
— Here is your coffee. — Thanks! — You're welcome.
A standard service industry interaction.
— Valeu pela ajuda no relatório! — Por nada, conte comigo.
— Thanks for the help with the report! — No problem, count on me.
Shows professional supportiveness.
— Obrigado por mandar o link! — Por nada! 😉
— Thanks for sending the link! — You're welcome! 😉
Commonly used in digital chats with emojis.
— Desculpe, você deixou cair isso. — Oh, obrigada! — Por nada.
— Excuse me, you dropped this. — Oh, thank you! — You're welcome.
Brief, polite interaction between strangers.
— Obrigado por me ouvir hoje. — Por nada, eu me importo com você.
— Thanks for listening to me today. — Don't mention it, I care about you.
Used to show emotional availability.
— Obrigado por comer meu último chocolate... — Por nada!
— Thanks for eating my last chocolate... — You're welcome!
Can be used playfully or sarcastically among friends.
Teste-toi
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
Ana: 'Muito obrigada por me ajudar com as malas!' Você: '________, estavam bem leves.'
'Por nada' is the perfect natural response to thanks.
Fill in the blank to mean 'for no reason'.
Não fique triste ________. A vida é bela!
In this context, 'por nada' means 'for no reason'.
Match the response to the situation.
You are at a fancy gala and the host thanks you for coming.
'Não há de quê' is more appropriate for a formal gala.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A: Ela é muito sensível e chora por nada. B: Ela é muito sensível e chora de nada.
When meaning 'for no reason', 'por nada' is the correct prepositional phrase.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Ways to say 'You're Welcome'
Standard
- • Por nada
- • De nada
Formal
- • Não há de quê
- • Disponha
Casual
- • Imagina
- • Não foi nada
Regional
- • Capaz (South)
- • É nóis (Slang)
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesAna: 'Muito obrigada por me ajudar com as malas!' Você: '________, estavam bem leves.'
'Por nada' is the perfect natural response to thanks.
Não fique triste ________. A vida é bela!
In this context, 'por nada' means 'for no reason'.
You are at a fancy gala and the host thanks you for coming.
'Não há de quê' is more appropriate for a formal gala.
A: Ela é muito sensível e chora por nada. B: Ela é muito sensível e chora de nada.
When meaning 'for no reason', 'por nada' is the correct prepositional phrase.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsIn Brazil, they are both very common. In Portugal, 'De nada' is much more frequent.
Yes, it's neutral and polite enough for a standard workplace.
No, it is always 'Por nada', regardless of who is speaking.
It literally means 'For nothing'.
Yes, in very casual settings, a simple 'Nada!' with a wave of the hand works.
No, it is a standard, correct expression in the Portuguese language.
This is a different idiom meaning 'I don't mean to be rude, but...' or 'Not for nothing'.
In most of Brazil, it's a soft 'h' sound at the back of the throat. In the south or Portugal, it's a tapped 'r'.
Yes, in emails, texts, and literature.
'Não há de quê' or 'Disponha'.
Yes, as in 'Ele se irritou por nada' (He got annoyed for no reason).
Yes, though 'De nada' is more common.
No, it's specifically a response to being thanked.
It's better to say 'Por nada' or at least 'Hum-hum' to acknowledge the thanks.
Expressions liées
De nada
synonymYou're welcome
Não há de quê
specialized formDon't mention it
Imagina
similarImagine (it was nothing)
Disponha
specialized formAt your disposal
Eu que agradeço
contrastI am the one who thanks you
Não foi nada
similarIt was nothing
