15秒でわかる
- Used when you are physically lost or mentally stuck.
- Combines the verb 'andar' (to walk/go) with 'voltas' (turns/circles).
- Perfect for expressing frustration about a lack of progress.
意味
Think of this as being stuck in a loop. You use it when you're physically lost, mentally confused, or just can't finish a task because you keep repeating the same steps.
主な例文
3 / 6Looking for a parking spot
Estou há meia hora às voltas para estacionar o carro!
I've been going around for half an hour trying to park the car!
Struggling with homework
O meu filho anda às voltas com a matemática.
My son is struggling with his math.
In a business meeting
Estamos a andar às voltas e não tomamos uma decisão.
We are going in circles and not making a decision.
文化的背景
In Lisbon, 'andar às voltas' is a literal daily experience due to the winding streets of Alfama and Mouraria. It's often said with a shrug of resignation. Brazilians might use 'estar enrolado' more often in very casual speech, but 'andar às voltas' is common in news and literature to describe political or economic stalemates. In Angolan Portuguese, the phrase is used similarly to Portugal, often appearing in contemporary music and literature to describe the 'voltas' of life and social struggle. Used frequently in urban centers like Maputo to describe bureaucratic delays, which are a common source of 'andar às voltas' for citizens.
Use it for 'Beating around the bush'
If someone is taking too long to tell you bad news, say 'Não andes mais às voltas.' it sounds very natural and native.
Watch the Accent
Always use the grave accent on 'às'. Without it, 'as voltas' just means 'the turns' and loses its idiomatic power.
15秒でわかる
- Used when you are physically lost or mentally stuck.
- Combines the verb 'andar' (to walk/go) with 'voltas' (turns/circles).
- Perfect for expressing frustration about a lack of progress.
What It Means
Andar às voltas is that dizzying feeling of going nowhere. It describes a lack of progress. You might be physically lost in a neighborhood. You could also be struggling with a math problem. It captures the frustration of effort without results. It is the linguistic equivalent of a dog chasing its tail.
How To Use It
You use it like a normal verb phrase. Just conjugate andar to match who is doing the 'circling.' You can add com (with) to specify the problem. For example: Ando às voltas com este relatório. This means the report is driving you crazy. It’s very flexible for both physical and mental states.
When To Use It
Use it when you are frustrated but not necessarily angry. It’s perfect for a coffee break chat. Tell your colleague you're às voltas with a new software. Use it when you're driving and can't find a parking spot. It’s a great way to admit you're a bit overwhelmed. It sounds very natural and 'native.'
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for serious, linear progress. If you are actually moving forward, this isn't the phrase. Avoid it in high-stakes legal documents. It’s a bit too descriptive and informal for a contract. Also, don't use it if you are literally spinning for fun. That would be rodopiar. This phrase implies a sense of being stuck or lost.
Cultural Background
Portuguese culture values the 'desenrascar' (finding a way out). Andar às voltas is the state you're in before you find that solution. It reflects a certain patience with life's complications. It’s often used with a shrug of the shoulders. It shows you're trying, even if you're currently failing. It’s a very human, relatable expression in any Portuguese household.
Common Variations
You might hear dar voltas à cabeça. This means you are overthinking something. Another one is andar à nora. This is slightly more intense. It refers to an old water wheel. Both mean you're confused, but andar às voltas is the most common. It works in Lisbon, Porto, and everywhere in between.
使い方のコツ
The phrase is very safe for daily use. The main 'gotcha' is using the wrong verb; stick to `andar` to sound like a native. It sits perfectly in the neutral-informal zone.
Use it for 'Beating around the bush'
If someone is taking too long to tell you bad news, say 'Não andes mais às voltas.' it sounds very natural and native.
Watch the Accent
Always use the grave accent on 'às'. Without it, 'as voltas' just means 'the turns' and loses its idiomatic power.
Brazilian Alternative
In Brazil, you can also say 'batendo cabeça' for the same feeling of being stuck or confused.
例文
6Estou há meia hora às voltas para estacionar o carro!
I've been going around for half an hour trying to park the car!
Shows physical repetition and frustration.
O meu filho anda às voltas com a matemática.
My son is struggling with his math.
Used here to mean 'having difficulty with'.
Estamos a andar às voltas e não tomamos uma decisão.
We are going in circles and not making a decision.
Used to point out a lack of productivity.
Ainda ando às voltas com o que ele me disse ontem.
I'm still reeling/confused about what he told me yesterday.
Refers to mental rumination.
Andamos às voltas no shopping e acabamos na mesma loja!
We walked in circles at the mall and ended up in the same store!
Lighthearted take on being directionally challenged.
A minha cabeça anda às voltas com tanta preocupação.
My head is spinning with so much worry.
Expresses being overwhelmed emotionally.
自分をテスト
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Ontem, nós _______ às voltas no centro da cidade porque o GPS não funcionava.
The standard verb for this idiom is 'andar'. Since the context is 'ontem' (yesterday), we use the preterite 'andámos'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly to mean 'struggling with a task'?
Escolha a opção correta:
The idiom requires 'às voltas' and the preposition 'com' when referring to an object or task.
Match the sentence to the correct context.
Context: 'Não andes às voltas e diz-me o que queres.'
In this context, 'andar às voltas' means 'beating around the bush' or being indirect.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Já terminaste o relatório? B: Ainda não. Ando _______ com os gráficos.
The fixed idiom is 'às voltas'.
🎉 スコア： /4
ビジュアル学習ツール
Andar às voltas vs. Dar uma volta
練習問題バンク
4 問題Ontem, nós _______ às voltas no centro da cidade porque o GPS não funcionava.
The standard verb for this idiom is 'andar'. Since the context is 'ontem' (yesterday), we use the preterite 'andámos'.
Escolha a opção correta:
The idiom requires 'às voltas' and the preposition 'com' when referring to an object or task.
Context: 'Não andes às voltas e diz-me o que queres.'
In this context, 'andar às voltas' means 'beating around the bush' or being indirect.
A: Já terminaste o relatório? B: Ainda não. Ando _______ com os gráficos.
The fixed idiom is 'às voltas'.
🎉 スコア： /4
よくある質問
10 問Yes! If you can't sleep and you're tossing and turning, you can say 'Andei às voltas na cama a noite toda.'
Both are correct. 'Andar' implies a more active, ongoing struggle, while 'estar' focuses on the current state of being stuck.
It can be a bit direct. Use it with friends or family. In a formal setting, it's better to say 'Pode ser mais direto, por favor?'
No, it's more often used for mental confusion or being stuck on a task than for being physically lost.
The best opposite is 'ir direto ao assunto' (for talking) or 'fazer progressos' (for tasks).
No, that sounds like a literal translation from English and is not used by native speakers.
Use the preposition 'com'. Example: 'Ando às voltas com este código.'
Yes, to describe projects that are stalled or negotiations that aren't moving forward.
Because you are making multiple turns/circles, emphasizing the repetitive nature of the struggle.
In Portugal, 'andar à nora' is a very common, slightly more informal alternative.
関連フレーズ
dar uma volta
similarTo take a stroll or a short trip.
dar voltas à cabeça
specialized formTo think hard about something.
andar à nora
synonymTo be completely lost or confused.
ir direto ao assunto
contrastTo get straight to the point.
