In 15 Seconds
- Used to describe good relationships between people or groups.
- Means to be successful or comfortable in a specific situation.
- Requires reflexive pronouns like 'me', 'nos', or 'se'.
- Essential for describing social harmony and personal chemistry.
Meaning
This phrase is used to describe when people have a good relationship or click well together. It also means you are successful or comfortable in a specific situation or environment.
Key Examples
3 of 6Talking about siblings
Eu e minha irmã nos damos muito bem.
My sister and I get along very well.
Discussing a new job
Ele está se dando bem no novo emprego.
He is doing well in his new job.
Texting a friend about a date
A gente se deu super bem!
We got along great!
Cultural Background
In Brazil, 'se dar bem' is often associated with the 'Jeitinho Brasileiro'—finding a creative, sometimes informal way to succeed or solve a problem. Pronoun placement is stricter. While a Brazilian says 'Me dou bem', a Portuguese person will almost always say 'Dou-me bem', especially in writing. In Luanda, the phrase is common in music and street slang to describe someone who has 'made it' or is respected in the community. Used frequently in the context of community and family solidarity, emphasizing the importance of 'convivência' (living together).
The 'Com' Rule
Always use 'com' when talking about people. 'Eu me dou bem COM meu irmão.'
Reflexive Pronouns
Don't forget to change 'se' to 'me' or 'nos' depending on who you are talking about!
In 15 Seconds
- Used to describe good relationships between people or groups.
- Means to be successful or comfortable in a specific situation.
- Requires reflexive pronouns like 'me', 'nos', or 'se'.
- Essential for describing social harmony and personal chemistry.
What It Means
Dar-se bem is your go-to phrase for harmony. It literally translates to "giving oneself well." Think of it as how you mesh with the world. It describes people who like each other. It also describes someone thriving in a new job. It is about positive vibes and smooth interactions. If you and your roommate don't fight, you dar-se bem.
How To Use It
You must conjugate the verb dar. The se part changes based on who you mean. For "we get along," use nós nos damos bem. For "they get along," use eles se dão bem. You can add com to specify a person. For example: Eu me dou bem com meu chefe. It works for skills too. If you are good at math, you se dá bem with numbers.
When To Use It
Use it when discussing family dynamics at dinner. Use it during job interviews to show teamwork skills. It is perfect for describing your new kitten and old dog. Use it when you find a city that fits your lifestyle. It is common in romantic contexts to describe chemistry. Use it when a plan goes exactly as hoped. It feels natural in almost any conversation.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for physical health recovery. For that, use recuperar or melhorar. Avoid it when talking about simple likes or dislikes. Saying Eu me dou bem com pizza sounds very strange. Use Eu gosto de pizza instead. It implies a relationship or a performance, not a taste. Don't use it for "getting by" or surviving. That would be se virar.
Cultural Background
Portuguese culture places huge value on social harmony. Being someone who se dá bem with everyone is a compliment. It suggests you are flexible, friendly, and easy-going. In Brazil, this often links to the concept of simpatia. It is the art of being likable. It reflects a society that prioritizes personal connections over cold transactions. Even in business, people prefer to work with those they se dão bem with.
Common Variations
The opposite is dar-se mal. This means to fail or have a conflict. You might say Eu me dei mal na prova (I did poorly on the test). Another variation is dar-se ao luxo. This means to treat yourself to something. In Portugal, you might hear dar-se ao trabalho. This means taking the trouble to do something. Stick to the basic version first to master the reflexive pronouns.
Usage Notes
The phrase is highly versatile and fits into almost any social register. In Brazil, the pronoun usually comes before the verb ('me dou'), while in Portugal, it often follows the verb with a hyphen ('dou-me').
The 'Com' Rule
Always use 'com' when talking about people. 'Eu me dou bem COM meu irmão.'
Reflexive Pronouns
Don't forget to change 'se' to 'me' or 'nos' depending on who you are talking about!
Success vs. Relationship
If you use 'na' (in the), you mean success. If you use 'com' (with), you mean a relationship.
Brazilian Slang
In Brazil, you can say 'se dar bem' to mean someone got lucky or cheated a bit. Context is key!
Examples
6Eu e minha irmã nos damos muito bem.
My sister and I get along very well.
Uses the reflexive 'nos' for 'we'.
Ele está se dando bem no novo emprego.
He is doing well in his new job.
Shows success in a professional environment.
A gente se deu super bem!
We got along great!
Uses 'a gente' for a casual 'we'.
Nossa empresa se dá bem com parcerias locais.
Our company works well with local partnerships.
Formal use describing institutional relationships.
Meu gato não se dá bem com o vácuo.
My cat doesn't get along with the vacuum cleaner.
Personifies the cat's dislike for an object.
Nós simplesmente não nos dávamos mais bem.
We simply weren't getting along anymore.
Uses the imperfect tense for a past ongoing state.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct reflexive pronoun.
Eu ___ dou bem com meus pais.
For the first person 'Eu', the reflexive pronoun is 'me'.
Choose the correct preposition.
Ela se deu bem ___ prova de português.
When talking about success in a situation like a test (prova), we use 'em' + 'a' = 'na'.
What is the best response?
A: Você gosta do seu novo trabalho? B: Sim, eu ___.
'Me dou bem lá' correctly uses the reflexive pronoun and the adverb 'bem'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Which phrase fits a successful job interview?
'Dar-se bem' is used to indicate success or a positive outcome.
Complete with the correct form of the verb 'dar' in the past tense.
Ontem, nós nos ___ bem no jogo de futebol.
The past tense (Pretérito Perfeito) for 'nós' is 'demos'.
Identify the incorrect sentence.
Which sentence is WRONG?
'Nós' must be paired with 'nos', not 'se'.
🎉 Score: /6
Visual Learning Aids
Brazil vs Portugal
Practice Bank
6 exercisesEu ___ dou bem com meus pais.
For the first person 'Eu', the reflexive pronoun is 'me'.
Ela se deu bem ___ prova de português.
When talking about success in a situation like a test (prova), we use 'em' + 'a' = 'na'.
A: Você gosta do seu novo trabalho? B: Sim, eu ___.
'Me dou bem lá' correctly uses the reflexive pronoun and the adverb 'bem'.
Which phrase fits a successful job interview?
'Dar-se bem' is used to indicate success or a positive outcome.
Ontem, nós nos ___ bem no jogo de futebol.
The past tense (Pretérito Perfeito) for 'nós' is 'demos'.
Which sentence is WRONG?
'Nós' must be paired with 'nos', not 'se'.
🎉 Score: /6
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsUsually no. It's for people or for people's success in situations. For objects, use 'funcionar bem' or 'combinar'.
'Dar certo' is for things/plans (The plan worked). 'Dar-se bem' is for people (I did well/I get along).
Both! 'Me dou bem' is Brazilian/informal. 'Dou-me bem' is European/formal.
Use 'Eu não me dou bem com ele.'
Yes, it means you are doing well in your English studies or usage.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
It means to be successful in life, usually financially or professionally.
Yes! 'Meu gato e meu cachorro se dão bem.'
Not directly, but you can talk about 'bom relacionamento' or 'sucesso'.
In Portugal, 'dar-se com' can imply the relationship quality, but 'bem' makes it explicitly positive.
Yes: 'Eu vou me dar bem' (I will do well).
It's wrong. Always use 'com' for people.
Yes, very often to describe team dynamics.
The opposite is 'dar-se mal'.
Related Phrases
dar-se mal
contrastTo fail or have a bad relationship
dar-se ao trabalho
similarTo take the trouble to do something
dar certo
similarTo work out / to be successful
ir com a cara
synonymTo like someone's vibe
bater o santo
synonymTo click spiritually/instantly
