In 15 Seconds
- Used to describe being unlucky or having bad luck.
- Conjugate 'ter' based on the person experiencing the misfortune.
- Perfect for minor daily frustrations and venting to friends.
Meaning
This phrase is used to describe someone who has bad luck or is generally unfortunate. It is the standard way to say someone 'is unlucky' or 'has bad luck' in a variety of situations.
Key Examples
3 of 6Missing the train by seconds
Perdi o comboio por um segundo, que azar!
I missed the train by a second, what bad luck!
Talking about a friend's frequent mishaps
O João não tem sorte nenhuma, ele só tem azar.
João has no luck at all, he only has bad luck.
A professional setback
Tivemos azar com o cancelamento do contrato.
We were unlucky with the contract cancellation.
Cultural Background
The word 'azar' actually has Arabic roots, coming from 'az-zahr' (the die/dice). In Portuguese culture, discussing luck is a common social lubricant, often used to bond over shared frustrations or to humble oneself when things are going well.
The 'Que' Trick
If you see something bad happen to someone, just say 'Que azar!' It’s the easiest way to sound like a native without worrying about grammar.
Don't confuse with 'Azarado'
While 'ter azar' is the action, 'azarado' is the adjective for an unlucky person. Use 'ele tem azar' for the situation and 'ele é azarado' for the person's trait.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to describe being unlucky or having bad luck.
- Conjugate 'ter' based on the person experiencing the misfortune.
- Perfect for minor daily frustrations and venting to friends.
What It Means
Não ter azar is a bit of a linguistic trick. In Portuguese, azar means bad luck. So, if you literally say não ter azar, you are saying 'to not have bad luck.' However, in common usage, we often focus on the presence or absence of sorte (luck). When you want to describe someone who is consistently unlucky, you say they têm azar. It is the direct opposite of ter sorte.
How To Use It
You use this just like any other verb phrase. You conjugate the verb ter (to have) to match the person you are talking about. If you missed the bus and dropped your ice cream, you'd say Eu tenho muito azar! It works for one-off moments or personality traits. You can add intensifiers like muito (much) or sempre (always) to make it punchier.
When To Use It
Use it whenever things aren't going your way. It is perfect for venting to friends about a bad day. It works at the office when the printer jams right before a meeting. You can even use it when playing games or sports. If your team loses on a last-minute penalty, that is azar. It is a very versatile way to express frustration with fate.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using it in extremely tragic or serious situations. If someone suffers a major loss, saying they têm azar sounds way too light and dismissive. It is better for 'first-world problems' or minor inconveniences. Also, don't use it to describe someone's character flaws. It is about external bad luck, not being a bad person.
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers often have a superstitious streak. We talk about luck and fate quite a bit. There is a famous saying: quem não tem sorte no jogo, tem sorte no amor (unlucky at cards, lucky in love). Azar is often seen as something that just happens to you, rather than something you cause. It is a way to deflect blame from yourself when things go wrong.
Common Variations
You will often hear que azar! which means 'what bad luck!' or 'how unlucky!' Another common one is dar azar, which means 'to bring bad luck' (like breaking a mirror). If you want to be more emphatic, you can say ter um azar de todo o tamanho (to have a massive amount of bad luck).
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and safe for most social interactions. Just remember to conjugate the verb 'ter' correctly for the past, present, or future.
The 'Que' Trick
If you see something bad happen to someone, just say 'Que azar!' It’s the easiest way to sound like a native without worrying about grammar.
Don't confuse with 'Azarado'
While 'ter azar' is the action, 'azarado' is the adjective for an unlucky person. Use 'ele tem azar' for the situation and 'ele é azarado' for the person's trait.
Luck in Love
If you lose a game, a Portuguese friend might say 'Sorte no amor!' to cheer you up, implying your bad luck at games means you'll be lucky in romance.
Examples
6Perdi o comboio por um segundo, que azar!
I missed the train by a second, what bad luck!
A very common exclamation for daily mishaps.
O João não tem sorte nenhuma, ele só tem azar.
João has no luck at all, he only has bad luck.
Comparing 'sorte' and 'azar' for emphasis.
Tivemos azar com o cancelamento do contrato.
We were unlucky with the contract cancellation.
Used to explain a business failure outside of one's control.
Começou a chover bem na hora do churrasco. Que azar!
It started raining right at BBQ time. How unlucky!
Commonly used in texts to express disappointment.
Eu sempre tenho azar às cartas, não jogo mais!
I always have bad luck at cards, I'm not playing anymore!
A lighthearted way to complain about losing.
Sinto muito que não tenhas conseguido o bilhete, tiveste azar.
I'm sorry you didn't get the ticket, you were unlucky.
Showing empathy for a friend's disappointment.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct form of the verb 'ter' to complete the sentence.
Nós ___ muito azar ontem, o carro avariou no meio da autoestrada.
Since the sentence mentions 'ontem' (yesterday), you need the past tense 'tivemos'.
Complete the common exclamation.
Esqueci-me das chaves dentro de casa. Que ___!
'Que azar!' is the standard exclamation for 'What bad luck!'
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Ter Azar'
Used with friends and family for daily gripes.
Pá, que azar!
Standard way to describe misfortune in most settings.
Ele teve azar no exame.
Still usable, though 'infelicidade' might be preferred.
A empresa teve o azar de enfrentar uma crise.
Where to use 'Ter Azar'
Sports
Losing a game
Commute
Missing the bus
Weather
Rain on a holiday
Social
Spilling a drink
Practice Bank
2 exercisesNós ___ muito azar ontem, o carro avariou no meio da autoestrada.
Since the sentence mentions 'ontem' (yesterday), you need the past tense 'tivemos'.
Esqueci-me das chaves dentro de casa. Que ___!
'Que azar!' is the standard exclamation for 'What bad luck!'
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, 'azar' is specifically bad luck. To say you are lucky, you use ter sorte.
It is a bit informal for a high-stakes interview. Use infelizmente (unfortunately) to describe setbacks instead.
The meaning is the same in both. However, Brazilians might use dar azar more frequently to mean 'to cause bad luck'.
You can say Eu tenho muito azar or Eu sou muito azarado.
No, but the verb azarar exists in Brazil, meaning 'to flirt' or 'to check someone out'. Don't mix them up!
No, it is usually empathetic. It shows you recognize their situation was unfortunate.
The direct opposite is ter sorte (to have luck/be lucky).
It's better to use more serious terms like tragédia or infelicidade for major accidents.
No, it is a standard dictionary word, but it is used very frequently in casual conversation.
You would say Não me dês azar using the verb dar (to give).
Related Phrases
Ter sorte
To be lucky
Que azar!
What bad luck!
Dar azar
To bring bad luck
Estar com o azar
To be on a streak of bad luck
