Meaning
To be unaware, uninformed, or out of touch with current events.
Cultural Background
Brazilians often use 'estar por fora' as a way to avoid taking a side in an argument or gossip. It's a polite 'social shield'. In Portugal, the phrase is common but you might also hear 'estar a leste' (to be to the east), which has a slightly more 'clueless' connotation. The phrase is perfectly understood and used in African Lusophone countries, often in the context of community news or political changes. On Brazilian Twitter/X, 'estar por fora' is often used when a hashtag is trending and someone asks for a 'thread' to explain it.
Use 'Totalmente'
Adding 'totalmente' (totally) before 'por fora' makes you sound much more like a native speaker when you're really lost.
Ser vs Estar
Never use 'Sou por fora'. It sounds like you are a person made of 'outside', which makes no sense!
Meaning
To be unaware, uninformed, or out of touch with current events.
Use 'Totalmente'
Adding 'totalmente' (totally) before 'por fora' makes you sound much more like a native speaker when you're really lost.
Ser vs Estar
Never use 'Sou por fora'. It sounds like you are a person made of 'outside', which makes no sense!
The Shrug
In Brazil, accompany this phrase with a slight shrug and a tilt of the head for maximum authenticity.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'estar'.
Eu ______ por fora das notícias hoje.
We use 'estou' because it's the first person singular of 'estar', which is required for this idiom.
Which sentence means 'She is out of the loop about the gossip'?
Choose the correct translation:
This sentence correctly uses 'estar', the idiom 'por fora', and the contracted preposition 'da'.
What is the most natural response for Beto?
Ana: 'Você viu o novo vídeo viral?' Beto: 'Não, ______.'
Beto is admitting he hasn't seen the video, so 'estou por fora' is the correct idiom.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You missed a meeting and don't know the new rules.
Being uninformed about new rules after a meeting is a classic 'por fora' situation.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEu ______ por fora das notícias hoje.
We use 'estou' because it's the first person singular of 'estar', which is required for this idiom.
Choose the correct translation:
This sentence correctly uses 'estar', the idiom 'por fora', and the contracted preposition 'da'.
Ana: 'Você viu o novo vídeo viral?' Beto: 'Não, ______.'
Beto is admitting he hasn't seen the video, so 'estou por fora' is the correct idiom.
You missed a meeting and don't know the new rules.
Being uninformed about new rules after a meeting is a classic 'por fora' situation.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but keep it slightly more formal: 'Ainda não estou por dentro deste assunto' is better than 'Estou por fora'.
It can be. It might imply they are 'clueless' or 'out of touch'. Use it carefully with friends.
'Estar por fora' is neutral/informal. 'Estar boiando' is very slangy and implies you are confused, not just uninformed.
No, it applies to anything: gossip, fashion, tech, family updates, or even a conversation you just joined.
You can say: 'Quero ficar por dentro' or 'Me mantenha informado'.
Yes, it is widely used and understood in Portugal, though they have other regional alternatives too.
Technically yes, but 'do lado de fora' is much more common for physical 'outside'.
The opposite is 'estar por dentro'.
No, that doesn't make sense. You are 'por fora' of subjects or news, not people.
The basic form is A1, but using it with prepositions and different tenses moves into A2/B1.
Related Phrases
Estar por dentro
contrastTo be well-informed.
Estar boiando
synonymTo be clueless or lost.
Cair de paraquedas
similarTo arrive somewhere without knowing the context.
Não saber de nada
synonymTo know nothing.
Estar a leste
similarTo be out of it (Portugal).
