In 15 Seconds
- A smooth transition phrase meaning 'before continuing'.
- Used to add details or ask questions mid-conversation.
- Works in both formal meetings and casual chats.
Meaning
This is your go-to transition for hitting the pause button before moving forward. It means 'before continuing' and helps you add a crucial detail or ask a question before the conversation shifts.
Key Examples
3 of 6In a business meeting
Antes de continuar, eu gostaria de fazer uma pergunta.
Before continuing, I would like to ask a question.
Giving travel directions
Antes de continuar, você tem um mapa?
Before we go on, do you have a map?
Texting a friend about a party
Antes de continuar, quem mais vai estar lá?
Before we go further, who else is going to be there?
Cultural Background
Brazilians often use 'Antes de continuar' to introduce a 'parêntese' (parenthesis) in conversation. It's socially acceptable to go on long tangents before returning to the main point. In Portugal, the phrase is used more strictly for logical transitions. It is considered very polite in service industries (restaurants, hotels) to use this before moving to a new task. In Angolan Portuguese, storytelling is a central cultural pillar. 'Antes de continuar' is often used by elders to ensure the youth are paying attention to the moral of the story. In academic and literary circles in Maputo, this phrase is often replaced by 'Antes de prosseguir' to maintain a high level of formal discourse.
Use the Personal Infinitive
To sound more native when speaking for a group, say 'Antes de continuarmos'. It's a small change that shows high level.
Don't skip the 'de'
Saying 'Antes continuar' is a very common 'gringo' mistake. Always keep the 'de'!
In 15 Seconds
- A smooth transition phrase meaning 'before continuing'.
- Used to add details or ask questions mid-conversation.
- Works in both formal meetings and casual chats.
What It Means
Think of antes de continuar as a verbal speed bump. It signals to your listener that you have one more important thing to say. You aren't stopping the conversation forever. You are just holding the door open for a second. It is a logical bridge between what just happened and what comes next. Use it when you need to clarify a point. It keeps your speech organized and polite.
How To Use It
You usually place this at the very start of your sentence. It acts as a polite interruption or a transition. In Portuguese, the verb continuar stays in the infinitive form here. You don't need to conjugate it based on the person. Just say antes de continuar followed by your main thought. It’s like a 'wait a minute' but much smoother. It works perfectly in both writing and speaking.
When To Use It
Use it when you are giving directions and forgot a step. Use it in a business meeting to ask a question before the slide changes. It is great for storytelling when you need to explain a backstory. If you are texting a friend about plans, use it to mention a budget. It shows you are thoughtful and organized. It prevents people from getting confused later on.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it if you are actually ending the conversation. If you are saying goodbye, this phrase will confuse people. They will wait for you to keep talking! Avoid it in high-intensity arguments where you need to be blunt. It can sound a bit too structured for a messy emotional outburst. Also, don't use it if you haven't actually started the topic yet. You can't 'continue' something that hasn't begun!
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers value flow and connection in conversation. We don't like awkward silences or abrupt topic jumps. Using phrases like antes de continuar shows 'educação' (politeness/good breeding). It reflects a culture that enjoys thorough explanations. It’s a way of being considerate of the listener's understanding. It’s the linguistic equivalent of a gentle hand gesture to stay focused.
Common Variations
You might hear antes de mais nada for 'first of all'. Another close cousin is antes de prosseguir, which is slightly fancier. If you are feeling casual, you might just say espera aí (wait there). But antes de continuar is the gold standard for clarity. It works in Lisbon, Luanda, and Rio de Janeiro without changing meaning. It is a universal tool for your Portuguese survival kit.
Usage Notes
This phrase is highly versatile and fits almost any social context. It requires the infinitive form of the verb 'continuar' and the preposition 'de'.
Use the Personal Infinitive
To sound more native when speaking for a group, say 'Antes de continuarmos'. It's a small change that shows high level.
Don't skip the 'de'
Saying 'Antes continuar' is a very common 'gringo' mistake. Always keep the 'de'!
The Brazilian Pause
In Brazil, this phrase is often followed by 'né?' to check if the listener is still with you.
Examples
6Antes de continuar, eu gostaria de fazer uma pergunta.
Before continuing, I would like to ask a question.
A polite way to interrupt a presentation.
Antes de continuar, você tem um mapa?
Before we go on, do you have a map?
Checking if the listener is prepared for more info.
Antes de continuar, quem mais vai estar lá?
Before we go further, who else is going to be there?
Common way to dig for more gossip or info.
Antes de continuar, saiba que eu não sei cozinhar!
Before we go any further, know that I don't know how to cook!
Setting expectations before a dinner plan proceeds.
Antes de continuar, eu preciso ser sincero com você.
Before continuing, I need to be honest with you.
Signals a shift to a more serious tone.
Antes de continuar o pedido, o prato é apimentado?
Before continuing the order, is the dish spicy?
Clarifying a detail before finalizing a choice.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing preposition.
Antes ___ continuar, eu preciso de um favor.
The phrase 'antes de' is a fixed prepositional phrase in Portuguese.
Choose the most natural way to pause a formal presentation.
Qual é a forma mais adequada?
'Prosseguir' is more formal than 'continuar', and the structure is grammatically perfect.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: '...e foi assim que eu ganhei o prêmio.' B: 'Incrível! Mas ______, quem estava lá com você?'
The speaker wants to pause the story to ask a detail before the other person continues.
Match the phrase variation to the context.
Match 'Antes de mais nada' to its best use case.
'Antes de mais nada' means 'First and foremost' or 'Before anything else'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesAntes ___ continuar, eu preciso de um favor.
The phrase 'antes de' is a fixed prepositional phrase in Portuguese.
Qual é a forma mais adequada?
'Prosseguir' is more formal than 'continuar', and the structure is grammatically perfect.
A: '...e foi assim que eu ganhei o prêmio.' B: 'Incrível! Mas ______, quem estava lá com você?'
The speaker wants to pause the story to ask a detail before the other person continues.
Match 'Antes de mais nada' to its best use case.
'Antes de mais nada' means 'First and foremost' or 'Before anything else'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Yes, 'seguir' is a very common and natural synonym, especially in Brazil.
Yes, if it starts the sentence, a comma is usually used to separate the introductory phrase from the main clause.
'Antes de' takes the infinitive. 'Antes que' takes the subjunctive. Use 'Antes de' for general transitions.
Absolutely. It's great for transitioning between different points in a professional email.
Both are correct. 'Antes de continuar' is more common when the subject is obvious.
You could say 'Peraí, antes de mais nada...' or 'Segura o tchan aí...'
Yes, 'Antes de continuar a dirigir'. It works for any action.
A little bit. It might sound like you are giving a lecture rather than having a chat.
'Depois de terminar' (After finishing) or 'Antes de terminar' (Before finishing).
Related Phrases
Antes de mais nada
similarFirst of all / Before anything else
Antes que seja tarde
builds onBefore it's too late
Dito isso
contrastThat said
Em seguida
builds onNext / Following that
