뜻
To be an extremely difficult or complicated problem to deal with.
문화적 배경
In Brazil, the phrase is often used to criticize bureaucracy. Brazilians often feel that the government 'makes a seven-headed beast' out of simple processes like getting a driver's license. In Portugal, the phrase is deeply linked to the classical education system where Greek mythology was a core subject, making the Hydra reference very clear to older generations. In Angolan Portuguese, the phrase is used similarly, but you might also hear 'problema de sete cabeças' in news broadcasts to describe complex political negotiations. The 2001 Brazilian movie 'Bicho de Sete Cabeças' is a landmark in cinema, highlighting how society treats mental illness as a 'monster' rather than a health issue.
Use the Negation
The most natural way to use this phrase is to reassure someone: 'Não é nenhum bicho de sete cabeças.' It makes you sound very empathetic and fluent.
Don't change the number
Even if the problem is really, really hard, it's always 'seven' heads. Don't say 'eight' or 'ten' heads!
뜻
To be an extremely difficult or complicated problem to deal with.
Use the Negation
The most natural way to use this phrase is to reassure someone: 'Não é nenhum bicho de sete cabeças.' It makes you sound very empathetic and fluent.
Don't change the number
Even if the problem is really, really hard, it's always 'seven' heads. Don't say 'eight' or 'ten' heads!
The 'Fazer' nuance
When you say someone is 'fazendo' (making) the beast, you are subtly accusing them of being dramatic. Use it carefully with your boss!
Gender Agreement
Remember that 'bicho' is always masculine. 'A tarefa (fem) é UM bicho (masc)'. This is a common C1 level test point.
셀프 테스트
Complete a frase com a forma correta do verbo 'ser' ou 'fazer'.
Eu não entendo por que você ______ um bicho de sete cabeças de um erro tão pequeno.
We use 'fazer' when someone is *creating* the difficulty or overreacting.
Qual é o significado mais próximo da frase abaixo?
A prova de matemática foi um bicho de sete cabeças.
The idiom 'bicho de sete cabeças' is a metaphor for extreme difficulty.
Associe a frase à situação correta.
Frase: 'Não é nenhum bicho de sete cabeças.'
The negative form is used to reassure someone that a task is manageable.
Complete o diálogo de forma natural.
Ana: 'Você conseguiu consertar o computador?' Pedro: 'Ainda não. O problema no processador está sendo um ______.'
This is the standard form of the idiom.
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시각 학습 자료
Ser vs Fazer
연습 문제 은행
4 연습 문제Eu não entendo por que você ______ um bicho de sete cabeças de um erro tão pequeno.
We use 'fazer' when someone is *creating* the difficulty or overreacting.
A prova de matemática foi um bicho de sete cabeças.
The idiom 'bicho de sete cabeças' is a metaphor for extreme difficulty.
Frase: 'Não é nenhum bicho de sete cabeças.'
The negative form is used to reassure someone that a task is manageable.
Ana: 'Você conseguiu consertar o computador?' Pedro: 'Ainda não. O problema no processador está sendo um ______.'
This is the standard form of the idiom.
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자주 묻는 질문
12 질문Technically yes, but it sounds 90% less natural. 'Bicho' is the idiomatic standard.
No, if you are describing a task. Yes, if you say the boss is 'making' a bicho de sete cabeças out of nothing.
It comes from the Hydra and the biblical Beast of the Apocalypse. Seven is a symbolic number for 'completeness' or 'totality'.
Yes, it is perfectly understood and used in all Portuguese-speaking countries.
The most common opposites are 'mamão com açúcar' (papaya with sugar) or 'canja de galinha' (chicken soup).
No, we don't say 'Ele é um bicho de sete cabeças'. We only use it for situations or tasks.
It's acceptable in a journalistic or opinion piece, but in a scientific paper, use 'complexidade extrema'.
Yes, specifically 'intimidatingly difficult'.
It's understood, but 'bicho' is much more common in daily speech.
The 'ç' is a simple 's' sound. In Brazil, the final 's' is 's', in Portugal it's 'sh'.
No, in this context it just means 'creature' or 'animal'.
Yes: 'A prova foi um bicho de sete cabeças'.
관련 표현
Tempestade em copo d'água
similarTo make a mountain out of a molehill
Mamão com açúcar
contrastSomething very easy
Dar um nó na cabeça
builds onTo be very confusing
Pisar em ovos
similarTo walk on eggshells
Procurar pelo em ovo
similarTo look for problems where there are none
