Meaning
Assume something is true or will happen without questioning its validity.
Cultural Background
In Brazil, 'dar por sentado' is understood but often replaced by 'dar como certo'. Brazilians tend to be more informal in daily speech, and 'dar por sentado' can sound a bit like a translation from Spanish or a very formal legal document. Portugal maintains a more frequent use of 'dar por sentado' and its variant 'dar por assente'. The latter is particularly common in the 'Diário da República' (official government gazette) and formal journalism. In Angolan Portuguese, formal registers follow the European model closely. 'Dar por sentado' is used in professional and academic circles to denote a lack of critical rigor in an assumption. Similar to other PALOP countries, the expression is a marker of high-level education and is used to navigate complex social and political discussions where certainty is elusive.
Use it to sound humble
In interviews, saying 'Não dou por sentado que...' shows you are confident but not arrogant.
Watch the 'Dar'
Remember 'dar' is irregular. 'Eu dei' (past), 'Eu dou' (present), 'Se eu der' (future subjunctive).
Meaning
Assume something is true or will happen without questioning its validity.
Use it to sound humble
In interviews, saying 'Não dou por sentado que...' shows you are confident but not arrogant.
Watch the 'Dar'
Remember 'dar' is irregular. 'Eu dei' (past), 'Eu dou' (present), 'Se eu der' (future subjunctive).
Regional Preference
If you are in São Paulo, use 'dar como certo' to sound more like a local.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'dar'.
Ontem, eu ______ por sentado que o escritório estaria aberto.
The sentence refers to a specific completed action in the past ('Ontem'), requiring the Preterite Perfect 'dei'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'Don't take my help for granted'?
Escolha a opção mais natural:
While 'dar por sentado que' is common, 'dar [algo] por sentado' is the standard way to refer to a noun. In this case, 'sentada' may agree with 'ajuda' in very formal speech, though 'sentado' is also accepted.
Match the phrase to the most likely context.
'Não podemos dar por sentado o resultado das eleições.'
The formal tone and the subject (elections) fit a news or professional analysis context.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Você acha que o chefe vai nos dar um bônus?' B: 'Eu não ______ por sentado, as vendas caíram este mês.'
The conditional 'daria' (I wouldn't take it for granted) is the most natural response to a hypothetical question about the future.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesOntem, eu ______ por sentado que o escritório estaria aberto.
The sentence refers to a specific completed action in the past ('Ontem'), requiring the Preterite Perfect 'dei'.
Escolha a opção mais natural:
While 'dar por sentado que' is common, 'dar [algo] por sentado' is the standard way to refer to a noun. In this case, 'sentada' may agree with 'ajuda' in very formal speech, though 'sentado' is also accepted.
'Não podemos dar por sentado o resultado das eleições.'
The formal tone and the subject (elections) fit a news or professional analysis context.
A: 'Você acha que o chefe vai nos dar um bônus?' B: 'Eu não ______ por sentado, as vendas caíram este mês.'
The conditional 'daria' (I wouldn't take it for granted) is the most natural response to a hypothetical question about the future.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, that is a literal translation from English and sounds very unnatural to native speakers.
Usually 'sentado' (masculine singular) as it's a fixed expression, but in very formal writing, it can agree with a feminine noun (e.g., 'dar a vitória por sentada').
Yes, very much so. It is actually slightly more common in Portugal than in Brazil.
The opposite would be 'pôr em dúvida' (to put in doubt) or 'questionar' (to question).
Yes, 'dar alguém por sentado' means to assume that person will always be there or will always behave a certain way.
It is neutral to formal. It's perfect for business, news, and serious conversations.
Example: 'É importante que não demos por sentado o nosso sucesso.'
Mostly, but 'dar por sentado' implies a higher level of certainty and often a lack of appreciation.
Yes, but 'dar como certo' or 'achar que tá garantido' is more common in casual texting.
It comes from the idea of a judge sitting down to make a final decision that is then 'seated' in the records.
Related Phrases
Dar como certo
synonymTo consider something as a certainty.
Dar por garantido
similarTo take for granted.
Dar de barato
specialized formTo concede a point in an argument for the sake of discussion.
Pôr em dúvida
contrastTo cast doubt upon something.
