मतलब
To interfere in matters that do not concern you.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
The proverb 'Em briga de marido e mulher, não se mete a colher' is one of the most famous in the country. It historically discouraged neighbors from intervening in domestic disputes. In Portugal, the phrase is often used with 'bico' (beak) instead of 'colher', as in 'meter o bico', which feels slightly more pointed and bird-like. In Luanda, you might hear variations that mix Portuguese with local Kimbundu influences, but the 'colher' metaphor remains widely understood due to colonial culinary history. Similar to other Lusophone African countries, the phrase is used to maintain social hierarchy and respect for elders' or leaders' decisions.
Gender Agreement
Always remember to change 'chamado' to 'chamada' if you are addressing a woman. It's a common mistake for learners!
Tone Matters
This phrase can be very aggressive. Use it only when you are genuinely annoyed or with people you are very close to.
मतलब
To interfere in matters that do not concern you.
Gender Agreement
Always remember to change 'chamado' to 'chamada' if you are addressing a woman. It's a common mistake for learners!
Tone Matters
This phrase can be very aggressive. Use it only when you are genuinely annoyed or with people you are very close to.
The 'Bedelho' Alternative
If you want to sound even more like a native Brazilian, use 'meter o bedelho'. It's very common and sounds slightly more colorful.
खुद को परखो
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Ela é muito intrometida. Sempre quer ________ a colher onde não é ________.
The verb is 'meter' and the participle must be feminine 'chamada' to agree with 'Ela'.
Match the response to the situation.
Your neighbor is telling you how to prune your roses, and you are annoyed.
This is the appropriate idiomatic response to unsolicited advice from a neighbor.
Choose the best phrase to complete the dialogue.
A: 'Você viu que o João e a Maria brigaram?' B: 'Vi, mas eu não vou ________. Problema de casal é deles.'
The context of a couple's fight is the most classic use of 'meter a colher'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct when speaking to a group of men?
Identify the correct plural form.
The verb 'meter' must be in the plural imperative 'metam' and the participle 'chamados' must be masculine plural.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
अभ्यास बैंक
4 अभ्यासEla é muito intrometida. Sempre quer ________ a colher onde não é ________.
The verb is 'meter' and the participle must be feminine 'chamada' to agree with 'Ela'.
Your neighbor is telling you how to prune your roses, and you are annoyed.
This is the appropriate idiomatic response to unsolicited advice from a neighbor.
A: 'Você viu que o João e a Maria brigaram?' B: 'Vi, mas eu não vou ________. Problema de casal é deles.'
The context of a couple's fight is the most classic use of 'meter a colher'.
Identify the correct plural form.
The verb 'meter' must be in the plural imperative 'metam' and the participle 'chamados' must be masculine plural.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालYes, it is widely understood and used in Portugal, though 'meter o bico' is a very popular local alternative.
No, it is too informal and would be considered disrespectful. Use 'interferir' or 'opinar' instead.
'Meter a colher' implies a more serious interference, while 'dar pitaco' is usually just about giving an unwanted opinion.
No, in this idiom, 'colher' is a noun meaning 'spoon'. They are spelled the same but pronounced differently.
Yes, you can say 'Prefiro cuidar disso sozinho, obrigado' (I prefer to handle this alone, thanks).
Rarely. It almost always has a negative connotation of unwanted interference.
It comes from the tradition of eating communal soups or stews where the spoon was the primary tool for 'reaching in'.
In this idiom, 'onde' is the standard form used by almost all native speakers.
No! 'Meter a faca' means to overcharge someone (to rip them off). It's a completely different idiom.
Only in informal writing like texts, social media, or dialogue in stories.
संबंधित मुहावरे
Meter o bedelho
synonymTo meddle or pry into something.
Dar pitaco
similarTo give an unsolicited opinion.
Não é da sua conta
contrastIt's none of your business.
Cuidar da própria vida
similarTo mind one's own business.
