In 15 Seconds
- Used to celebrate significant, hard-earned achievements and milestones.
- Combines 'grande' (big) and 'conquista' (conquest/achievement).
- Suitable for both professional settings and personal celebrations.
Meaning
This phrase is used to celebrate a significant achievement or a hard-won victory. It is like saying 'That is a huge accomplishment' or 'That is a major milestone' when someone reaches a goal.
Key Examples
3 of 6Congratulating a friend on a new job
Parabéns pelo novo emprego, é uma grande conquista!
Congrats on the new job, it is a great achievement!
A boss praising a team after a project
Terminar este projeto no prazo é uma grande conquista para nós.
Finishing this project on time is a great achievement for us.
Texting a sibling who passed a hard exam
Passar nessa prova é uma grande conquista! Você merece.
Passing this exam is a big win! You deserve it.
Cultural Background
In Brazil, 'conquista' is often linked to the idea of 'superação' (overcoming). Because of social challenges, every step up the ladder is celebrated loudly. The Portuguese may use 'conquista' with a bit more solemnity, reflecting on the historical 'Conquistas' of the sea. In African Lusophone countries, 'conquista' often refers to post-colonial progress and national development. In the business world, 'conquista' is the standard word for 'acquisition' or 'winning a client'.
Adjective Order
Always put 'grande' before 'conquista' for maximum impact. It sounds more 'native'.
Don't Overuse
If you use it for everything, it loses its power. Save it for the big stuff!
In 15 Seconds
- Used to celebrate significant, hard-earned achievements and milestones.
- Combines 'grande' (big) and 'conquista' (conquest/achievement).
- Suitable for both professional settings and personal celebrations.
What It Means
É uma grande conquista is your go-to phrase for celebrating success. It goes beyond a simple 'good job.' It implies that effort, time, and dedication were involved. Think of it as recognizing a 'win' that actually required some sweat and tears. It feels rewarding and validating to hear.
How To Use It
You can use it as a standalone reaction or part of a sentence. If a friend finishes a marathon, you say É uma grande conquista! immediately. You can also point to specific things like Sua graduação é uma grande conquista. It works perfectly for both personal milestones and professional wins. It is versatile and always carries a positive, uplifting energy.
When To Use It
Use it when the achievement feels substantial. It is perfect for graduations, promotions, or buying a first home. Use it when someone overcomes a personal fear or learns a difficult skill. In a business meeting, use it to acknowledge a successful project launch. It shows you recognize the weight of the accomplishment.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using it for trivial, everyday tasks. If your friend finally washed their dishes, saying É uma grande conquista sounds sarcastic. Don't use it for things that happened purely by luck. Winning the lottery isn't really a conquista; it is just sorte (luck). Keep it for things that required actual merit and work.
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers value the journey as much as the destination. The word conquista has a historical weight, often linked to territory or epic feats. In modern Brazil and Portugal, it reflects a culture that loves to celebrate milestones. We are expressive people who enjoy validating each other's hard work. It is a phrase that builds community and strengthens social bonds.
Common Variations
You might hear Que conquista! for a more excited, exclamation-style delivery. Some people say Uma vitória e tanto to emphasize the scale of the win. If you want to be more casual, you could say Mandou bem demais! However, É uma grande conquista remains the most elegant way to show genuine respect. It is the 'gold standard' for acknowledging success.
Usage Notes
The phrase is highly adaptable. It sits in the neutral register, making it safe for almost any situation where someone has achieved a goal. Just ensure the 'achievement' matches the weight of the words to avoid sounding sarcastic.
Adjective Order
Always put 'grande' before 'conquista' for maximum impact. It sounds more 'native'.
Don't Overuse
If you use it for everything, it loses its power. Save it for the big stuff!
LinkedIn Magic
Use this phrase in comments on LinkedIn to build rapport with Brazilian colleagues.
The 'E Tanto' variation
If you want to sound very Brazilian, say 'É uma conquista e tanto!' to show extra enthusiasm.
Examples
6Parabéns pelo novo emprego, é uma grande conquista!
Congrats on the new job, it is a great achievement!
A very common way to show you are proud of a friend.
Terminar este projeto no prazo é uma grande conquista para nós.
Finishing this project on time is a great achievement for us.
Professional and encouraging for a team environment.
Passar nessa prova é uma grande conquista! Você merece.
Passing this exam is a big win! You deserve it.
Short and impactful for a text message.
Uau, você acordou antes do meio-dia? É uma grande conquista!
Wow, you woke up before noon? What a massive achievement!
The tone makes it clear this is a joke about laziness.
Sua recuperação é uma grande conquista para toda a família.
Your recovery is a great victory for the whole family.
Deeply emotional and supportive.
Comprar sua própria casa é uma grande conquista.
Buying your own home is a major milestone.
Acknowledges the financial and personal effort involved.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the phrase.
Passar no vestibular depois de anos estudando ____.
We use 'uma' because 'conquista' is feminine, and 'grande' before the noun for emphasis.
Match the situation to the most appropriate response.
Your friend just bought their first apartment after saving for 5 years.
Buying an apartment is a major life milestone that requires effort.
Which sentence uses the phrase in a professional context correctly?
Choose the best option for a LinkedIn comment.
A new job is a significant professional milestone.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Finalmente terminei minha tese de doutorado!' B: 'Nossa! ____'
The present tense 'É' is most natural for an immediate reaction to news.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Grande Conquista vs. Pequena Vitória
Practice Bank
4 exercisesPassar no vestibular depois de anos estudando ____.
We use 'uma' because 'conquista' is feminine, and 'grande' before the noun for emphasis.
Your friend just bought their first apartment after saving for 5 years.
Buying an apartment is a major life milestone that requires effort.
Choose the best option for a LinkedIn comment.
A new job is a significant professional milestone.
A: 'Finalmente terminei minha tese de doutorado!' B: 'Nossa! ____'
The present tense 'É' is most natural for an immediate reaction to news.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, in modern Portuguese, it is used 99% of the time for personal and professional achievements.
It's better to use 'Que bom!' or 'Legal!' for small things. 'Grande conquista' is for milestones.
Because 'conquista' is a feminine noun. All nouns ending in '-ista' that come from verbs like 'conquistar' are usually feminine in this context.
It is neutral. You can use it in a business email or a text to a friend.
'Sucesso' is the state of being successful. 'Conquista' is the specific thing you achieved.
Yes, but 'vitória' implies a competition, while 'conquista' implies a personal journey.
Use the past tense: 'Foi uma grande conquista'.
Yes, it is perfectly understood and used in Portugal, though they might also use 'feito'.
Yes, 'conquistar alguém' means to win someone over, so 'É uma grande conquista' could be used if you finally start dating your crush.
São grandes conquistas.
Related Phrases
Vitória suada
similarA 'sweaty' victory.
Bater a meta
specialized formTo hit the goal.
Vencer na vida
builds onTo win at life.
Um grande passo
similarA big step.
