Meaning
To describe the current weather condition of rain.
Cultural Background
Rain in Lisbon is often described as 'triste' (sad) but beautiful, reflecting the city's Fado heritage. In the Azores, it is said that you can experience four seasons in one day, so 'Está a chover' is often followed by 'Está sol' five minutes later. In the North of Brazil, rain is so frequent that it's a social marker for time. This is the wettest region of Portugal, where the green landscape depends on the constant 'Está a chover'.
The 'A' Rule
Always remember the 'a' in Portugal. Without it, you're speaking 'Tarzan Portuguese'.
Slippery Calçada
If you say 'Está a chover' in Lisbon, look at your feet. The stone tiles become like ice!
Meaning
To describe the current weather condition of rain.
The 'A' Rule
Always remember the 'a' in Portugal. Without it, you're speaking 'Tarzan Portuguese'.
Slippery Calçada
If you say 'Está a chover' in Lisbon, look at your feet. The stone tiles become like ice!
Intensity Matters
Add 'imenso' or 'muito' after 'chover' to sound more like a native when it's pouring.
Small Talk Gold
Complaining about the rain is the fastest way to make a Portuguese friend.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence in European Portuguese.
Hoje não podemos ir à praia porque ______ a chover.
We use the verb 'estar' for temporary weather conditions.
Which sentence is correct in Portugal?
How do you say 'It is raining' in Lisbon?
European Portuguese uses 'estar a + infinitive'.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: Queres ir caminhar? B: Agora não, _________ muito.
The context of refusing a walk suggests bad weather like rain.
Match the phrase to the intensity.
Match 'Está a chover a potes' with its meaning.
'A potes' is an idiom for very heavy rain.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
EP vs BP Continuous
Practice Bank
4 exercisesHoje não podemos ir à praia porque ______ a chover.
We use the verb 'estar' for temporary weather conditions.
How do you say 'It is raining' in Lisbon?
European Portuguese uses 'estar a + infinitive'.
A: Queres ir caminhar? B: Agora não, _________ muito.
The context of refusing a walk suggests bad weather like rain.
Match 'Está a chover a potes' with its meaning.
'A potes' is an idiom for very heavy rain.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsPeople will understand you, but they will know you learned Brazilian Portuguese or are a tourist.
Portuguese is a pro-drop language, and weather verbs are impersonal, meaning they don't have a subject.
You can say 'Está a chover a potes' or 'Está a chover torrencialmente'.
It is neutral. It's fine for both a job interview and a chat with a friend.
'Chover' is the general verb for rain, while 'chuviscar' is specifically for light drizzle.
No, for the future use 'Vai chover' (It's going to rain).
It literally means 'fool-wetter' and refers to that fine rain that doesn't look like much but gets you soaked.
Yes, in European Portuguese it is grammatically required for the present continuous.
Just say 'Está a chover?' with a rising tone at the end.
No, that's incorrect. You would say 'Está sol'.
Related Phrases
Está a chuviscar
specialized formIt is drizzling.
Está a cair granizo
similarIt is hailing.
Vem aí chuva
builds onRain is coming.
Está a chover a cântaros
specialized formIt's pouring.
Chuva miudinha
similarFine rain.
