Meaning
To accept something as sufficient or good enough.
Cultural Background
In Portugal, this phrase is often linked to the concept of 'modéstia' (modesty). Being too demanding is seen as 'falta de educação' (rude). In Brazil, it's used frequently in the 'jeitinho' context—accepting a non-perfect solution to keep things moving. In formal Angolan Portuguese, it maintains a high level of formality, often used in official communications and news. Similar to Portugal, it is used to express a pragmatic end to a negotiation or community dispute.
The 'Negotiation Closer'
Use this phrase at the end of a negotiation to show you are a reasonable person who knows when to stop.
Gender Agreement
Always check if the subject is male or female. 'Satisfeita' is essential for women speakers.
Meaning
To accept something as sufficient or good enough.
The 'Negotiation Closer'
Use this phrase at the end of a negotiation to show you are a reasonable person who knows when to stop.
Gender Agreement
Always check if the subject is male or female. 'Satisfeita' is essential for women speakers.
Irony Alert
Sometimes people say 'Dá-te por satisfeito' to mean 'You're lucky it wasn't worse!'
Test Yourself
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of 'dar-se por satisfeito'. Pay attention to gender and number.
A Maria recebeu um pequeno aumento e ________ ________ ________ ________.
Maria is feminine singular, and the sentence is in the past tense.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct option:
Requires reflexive 'se', preposition 'por', and plural agreement 'satisfeitos'.
Complete the dialogue with a natural response using the phrase.
João: 'O chefe só nos deu dois dias de folga, não os três que pedimos.' Tu: 'Pois, mas considerando a carga de trabalho, ________.'
The context is 'we' (nos deu), so the response should be in the first person plural.
Match the situation to the most likely use of the phrase.
Situation: A lawyer accepts a settlement for their client.
This is the standard formal way to express legal acceptance.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Estar vs. Dar-se por
Practice Bank
4 exercisesA Maria recebeu um pequeno aumento e ________ ________ ________ ________.
Maria is feminine singular, and the sentence is in the past tense.
Choose the correct option:
Requires reflexive 'se', preposition 'por', and plural agreement 'satisfeitos'.
João: 'O chefe só nos deu dois dias de folga, não os três que pedimos.' Tu: 'Pois, mas considerando a carga de trabalho, ________.'
The context is 'we' (nos deu), so the response should be in the first person plural.
Situation: A lawyer accepts a settlement for their client.
This is the standard formal way to express legal acceptance.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsTechnically yes, but 'Estou satisfeito' is much more natural. 'Dou-me por satisfeito' sounds like you're finishing a food challenge.
It is always 'dar-se por'. 'Dar-se com' means 'to get along with someone'.
Yes, absolutely. Brazilians use it frequently, though they might place the 'me' before the verb: 'Eu me dou por satisfeito'.
Not necessarily. It means you accept the situation as sufficient. You might still wish it were better.
Nós nos damos por satisfeitos (or satisfeitas).
Yes, it's very appropriate for professional emails to confirm you've received what you needed.
It's neutral-formal. It's safe to use with your boss or a stranger.
The most direct opposite is 'Não se dar por satisfeito' or 'Exigir mais'.
You can say 'Não te dês por satisfeito' or 'Não te conformes'.
In Portugal, yes (guttural). In many parts of Brazil, it's a soft 'h' sound or silent before the 'se'.
Related Phrases
Contentar-se com
synonymTo be happy with what one has.
Dar-se por vencido
contrastTo admit defeat.
Estar de bom tamanho
similarTo be a good enough size/amount.
Conformar-se
similarTo resign oneself to a situation.
