In 15 Seconds
- Refers to the immediate future or near horizon.
- Used for quick fixes, temporary plans, and fast results.
- Common in business, fitness, and daily problem-solving.
Meaning
This phrase refers to things happening in a short timeframe, usually within days or months. It describes immediate plans, quick investments, or temporary solutions.
Key Examples
3 of 6Discussing a new diet
Essa dieta funciona no curto prazo, mas é difícil manter.
This diet works in the short term, but it's hard to keep up.
Business meeting about strategy
Precisamos de resultados no curto prazo para acalmar os investidores.
We need results in the short term to calm the investors.
Texting about a temporary job
É um bom trabalho no curto prazo, sabe?
It's a good job in the short term, you know?
Cultural Background
Due to historical inflation, Brazilians are masters of 'curto prazo' thinking, often called 'viver um dia de cada vez'. In Portugal, 'a curto prazo' is the preferred form in news and formal documents, reflecting a more traditional European linguistic style. In the 'Faria Lima' (São Paulo's Wall Street) culture, 'curto prazo' is often used to justify aggressive, fast-paced decisions. In African Lusophone countries, the phrase is common in NGOs and development projects to distinguish immediate aid from structural change.
The 'No' vs 'A' Rule
Use 'no' for a more Brazilian, natural feel. Use 'a' if you want to sound very formal or are in Portugal.
Don't say 'No Curto Tempo'
It's a common literal translation from English that sounds very unnatural to native ears.
In 15 Seconds
- Refers to the immediate future or near horizon.
- Used for quick fixes, temporary plans, and fast results.
- Common in business, fitness, and daily problem-solving.
What It Means
No curto prazo is your go-to phrase for the 'now'. It refers to the immediate future. Think of it as the 'near horizon'. It covers anything from next week to a few months. It is about speed and proximity. If you are talking about a quick fix, this is it. It is the opposite of planning for your retirement.
How To Use It
You use it just like 'in the short term' in English. It usually sits at the end of a sentence. You can use it to describe business goals. You can use it for personal habits. It works perfectly with verbs like funcionar (to work) or resolver (to solve). It helps manage expectations. It tells people not to look too far ahead.
When To Use It
Use it when discussing a diet that shows quick results. Use it in a meeting about this month's sales targets. It is great for texting a friend about a temporary living situation. Use it when you are buying something cheap that won't last forever. It is perfect for those 'band-aid' solutions we all love.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for your 'forever' plans. Avoid it when talking about marriage or 30-year mortgages. If something takes years, stay away from this phrase. It sounds weird if you use it for things that happen in five minutes. For that, just say agora (now). Also, don't use it to describe physical distance. It is strictly about time and planning.
Cultural Background
Brazilians are often known for being spontaneous and living in the moment. This makes no curto prazo a very common part of the vocabulary. While long-term planning is valued, the reality of a fluctuating economy often forces people to focus on the immediate. It reflects a culture that is highly adaptable. We solve problems as they appear. This 'jeitinho' often relies on short-term thinking.
Common Variations
You might hear a curto prazo as well. Both are correct and used interchangeably. If you want to talk about the long term, say no longo prazo. For the middle ground, use no médio prazo. If you want to be more casual, you might just say por enquanto (for now). But no curto prazo adds a bit more professional weight.
Usage Notes
The phrase is highly versatile and sits in the 'neutral' register. It is safe for both boardrooms and bars, though it carries a slightly more analytical tone than simple words like 'agora'.
The 'No' vs 'A' Rule
Use 'no' for a more Brazilian, natural feel. Use 'a' if you want to sound very formal or are in Portugal.
Don't say 'No Curto Tempo'
It's a common literal translation from English that sounds very unnatural to native ears.
Contrast is Key
Native speakers almost always use this phrase in contrast with 'longo prazo'. Use them together to sound more fluent.
Business Context
In a Brazilian office, 'curto prazo' usually means 'this quarter'.
Examples
6Essa dieta funciona no curto prazo, mas é difícil manter.
This diet works in the short term, but it's hard to keep up.
Commonly used to manage expectations about quick results.
Precisamos de resultados no curto prazo para acalmar os investidores.
We need results in the short term to calm the investors.
Professional usage regarding financial or performance goals.
É um bom trabalho no curto prazo, sabe?
It's a good job in the short term, you know?
Informal way to describe a 'for now' situation.
O arame resolve no curto prazo, mas o carro vai explodir amanhã.
The wire solves it in the short term, but the car will explode tomorrow.
Using the phrase to highlight a ridiculous temporary fix.
No curto prazo vai doer, mas vai passar.
In the short term it will hurt, but it will pass.
Providing comfort by framing pain as temporary.
Essa pintura ajuda no curto prazo, mas a parede está úmida.
This painting helps in the short term, but the wall is damp.
Describing a cosmetic fix for a deeper problem.
Test Yourself
Complete a frase com a preposição correta.
___ curto prazo, precisamos contratar um novo designer.
'Prazo' é um substantivo masculino, exigindo a contração 'no' (em + o).
Qual frase soa mais natural em um contexto de negócios?
Talking about a 3-month plan:
'No curto prazo' is the professional standard for defined periods.
Combine os opostos.
Match the terms:
Understanding temporal opposites is key for B1 level planning.
Complete o diálogo.
A: Você acha que as ações vão subir? B: ______, sim, mas o futuro é incerto.
Financial contexts almost always use 'prazo'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Temporal Windows in Portuguese
Where to use 'No Curto Prazo'
Work
- • Sprints
- • Quarterly goals
- • Hiring
Money
- • Savings
- • Stock trading
- • Bills
Life
- • Diets
- • Learning a skill
- • Travel
Practice Bank
4 exercises___ curto prazo, precisamos contratar um novo designer.
'Prazo' é um substantivo masculino, exigindo a contração 'no' (em + o).
Talking about a 3-month plan:
'No curto prazo' is the professional standard for defined periods.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Understanding temporal opposites is key for B1 level planning.
A: Você acha que as ações vão subir? B: ______, sim, mas o futuro é incerto.
Financial contexts almost always use 'prazo'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt's neutral-formal. It's perfect for work but a bit stiff for a casual dinner with friends.
Only if you are talking about their plans or a temporary state. 'Ele está aqui no curto prazo' (He is here for the short term).
'No' is 'in the', 'num' is 'in a'. 'Num curto prazo' is slightly more indefinite.
It depends! In finance, it's under a year. In a relationship, it might be a few weeks.
Yes, because it must agree with 'prazo', which is masculine.
Yes! That's a person who only thinks about the short term.
It's not 'wrong', but it's much less common than 'no' or 'a'.
Sort of, but it's more about the 'window' of time than the 'point' in time.
Yes, but they will likely say 'a curto prazo' more often.
Not really. Slang uses 'já já' or 'logo logo'.
Yes, for something extremely urgent or immediate.
Very often in non-fiction, essays, and journalism.
Related Phrases
no longo prazo
contrastIn the long term
no médio prazo
similarIn the medium term
em breve
similarSoon
imediatamente
builds onImmediately
de curto prazo
specialized formShort-term (adjective)
