Meaning
To be unrelated or irrelevant to a particular matter.
Cultural Background
In Brazil, 'Nada a ver' is a powerful social dismissive. It can be used to end an argument without being overly aggressive, acting as a 'vibe check'. In Portugal, you are more likely to hear 'nada que ver'. It sounds slightly more traditional and is widely accepted in formal speech. In Luanda, the phrase is used similarly to Brazil but often with a more rhythmic, emphatic delivery in casual 'Kizomba' social circles. Mozambican Portuguese often retains formal structures; 'não ter relação com' might be used in media, but 'nada a ver' dominates urban slang in Maputo.
The 'Vibe' Check
In Brazil, use 'Nada a ver!' as a one-word reaction to something weird or nonsensical. It makes you sound very native.
Spelling Trap
Never write 'nada haver' in a text message or email. It's a major red flag for poor grammar.
Meaning
To be unrelated or irrelevant to a particular matter.
The 'Vibe' Check
In Brazil, use 'Nada a ver!' as a one-word reaction to something weird or nonsensical. It makes you sound very native.
Spelling Trap
Never write 'nada haver' in a text message or email. It's a major red flag for poor grammar.
Polite Distancing
If you want to be more polite in a professional setting, use 'Isso não se aplica ao meu caso' instead of 'nada a ver'.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'ter' and the phrase.
Eu e meu irmão somos muito diferentes. Eu gosto de esportes, mas ele _______ nada _______ esportes.
The subject is 'ele' (he), so the verb 'ter' must be 'tem'. The phrase is 'a ver com'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct and natural?
Select the correct option:
'A ver' is the correct spelling for connections; 'haver' is for existence/finance; 'fazer' is an anglicism.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: 'Você viu que o preço da gasolina subiu de novo?' B: 'Pois é, mas _______'
The speaker is likely saying it doesn't affect people without cars (even if logically it does via inflation).
Match the situation to the use of 'nada a ver'.
Situation: You are wearing a tuxedo to a beach party.
This describes an aesthetic or contextual mismatch.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEu e meu irmão somos muito diferentes. Eu gosto de esportes, mas ele _______ nada _______ esportes.
The subject is 'ele' (he), so the verb 'ter' must be 'tem'. The phrase is 'a ver com'.
Select the correct option:
'A ver' is the correct spelling for connections; 'haver' is for existence/finance; 'fazer' is an anglicism.
A: 'Você viu que o preço da gasolina subiu de novo?' B: 'Pois é, mas _______'
The speaker is likely saying it doesn't affect people without cars (even if logically it does via inflation).
Situation: You are wearing a tuxedo to a beach party.
This describes an aesthetic or contextual mismatch.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsBoth are correct. 'Nada a ver' is standard in Brazil, while 'nada que ver' is common in Portugal.
It's better to use 'não se relaciona com' or 'não possui vínculo com' in very formal writing.
Because 'a ver' and 'haver' sound identical in most Portuguese dialects, leading to phonetic spelling errors.
Yes, in the sense of connection. It never means 'nothing to do' as in 'I'm bored' (that would be 'nada para fazer').
Related Phrases
Ter tudo a ver com
contrastTo be perfectly related or a perfect match.
Não vir ao caso
similarTo be irrelevant to the current discussion.
Passar ao lado
similarTo miss the point or be unrelated.
Ser farinha do mesmo saco
contrastTo be two of a kind (usually negative).
