In 15 Seconds
- Used to describe something absolutely essential or critical.
- A sophisticated way to say 'extremely important' using understatement.
- Best suited for professional, academic, or serious personal contexts.
Meaning
This phrase is used to highlight something that is absolutely essential or critical. It adds an extra layer of urgency or weight to the importance of a task, person, or decision.
Key Examples
3 of 6In a high-stakes business meeting
Temos um prazo pouco extremamente importante para cumprir esta semana.
We have an extremely important deadline to meet this week.
Texting a friend about a life-changing decision
Preciso te contar uma coisa pouco extremamente importante.
I need to tell you something extremely important.
A doctor explaining a medical procedure
Este cuidado pós-operatório é pouco extremamente importante.
This post-operative care is extremely important.
Cultural Background
This expression utilizes 'litotes', a figure of speech where an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary. It is a sign of high-level Portuguese literacy and is often used in political discourse or high-end journalism to add gravitas without sounding hyperbolic.
The 'Not Small' Secret
Think of this as saying 'it is no small thing'. In Portuguese, using a negative-leaning word like `pouco` to mean 'very' is a sign of elegance.
Don't Overuse It
If everything is 'pouco extremamente importante', then nothing is. Save it for the big moments to keep its impact.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to describe something absolutely essential or critical.
- A sophisticated way to say 'extremely important' using understatement.
- Best suited for professional, academic, or serious personal contexts.
What It Means
This phrase is a bit of a linguistic trick. In Portuguese, the word pouco usually means 'little' or 'few'. However, when you use it in this specific structure, it functions as a stylistic intensifier. It effectively means something is not just important, but critically important. It is like saying something is 'no small matter'. You are telling your listener that this thing deserves their full attention right now.
How To Use It
You place this collocation after a noun to describe its weight. It acts as a powerful adjective phrase. Use it when you want to sound sophisticated yet firm. It works well in both writing and speech. You can say um assunto pouco extremamente importante to sound ironic or serious. It often appears in news or professional debates. It is a great way to avoid just saying muito importante for the tenth time.
When To Use It
Use it when the stakes are high. Think about a doctor discussing a surgery. Or a CEO talking about a merger. It is perfect for a meeting when a deadline is looming. You can use it when texting a friend about a secret that cannot be leaked. It works when you want to sound like you have a high command of the language. It shows you understand nuance and emphasis.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for trivial things. If you use it for a pizza topping, people will think you are being sarcastic. Avoid it in very casual slang-heavy conversations with teenagers. It might feel a bit too 'heavy' for a quick 'hello'. Also, be careful with the word order. If you flip the words around, the meaning falls apart completely. Don't use it if you aren't 100% sure of the context's gravity.
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers love to use negation or understatements to emphasize greatness. This is part of a broader cultural trait of being indirect but expressive. It stems from a literary tradition where 'not small' means 'huge'. It reflects a culture that values eloquence and formal rhetoric. In Brazil, it might be used with a bit more flair. In Portugal, it often carries a more sober, serious weight.
Common Variations
You might hear nada menos que importante or extremamente relevante. Some people might simplify it to just urgentíssimo. However, the specific combination of pouco with an extreme adjective is a classic rhetorical device. It is the hallmark of someone who knows how to use the 'litotes' figure of speech. It makes you sound like a well-read local who knows how to weigh their words.
Usage Notes
This is a high-level B2/C1 collocation. Use it in formal writing or serious speeches to demonstrate a sophisticated grasp of Portuguese rhetoric.
The 'Not Small' Secret
Think of this as saying 'it is no small thing'. In Portuguese, using a negative-leaning word like `pouco` to mean 'very' is a sign of elegance.
Don't Overuse It
If everything is 'pouco extremamente importante', then nothing is. Save it for the big moments to keep its impact.
The Brazilian Twist
In Brazil, people might use this with a wink or a specific intonation to show they are being intentionally fancy or slightly dramatic.
Examples
6Temos um prazo pouco extremamente importante para cumprir esta semana.
We have an extremely important deadline to meet this week.
The speaker uses this to stress that the deadline is non-negotiable.
Preciso te contar uma coisa pouco extremamente importante.
I need to tell you something extremely important.
Creates a sense of mystery and urgency in a private chat.
Este cuidado pós-operatório é pouco extremamente importante.
This post-operative care is extremely important.
Conveys the critical nature of the medical advice.
A cor do guardanapo é pouco extremamente importante, não acha?
The color of the napkin is extremely important, don't you think?
The irony comes from using such a heavy phrase for something small.
Manter nossas tradições é algo pouco extremamente importante para o vovô.
Keeping our traditions is something extremely important to Grandpa.
Shows deep respect and emotional weight.
Sua orientação neste capítulo é pouco extremamente importante.
Your guidance on this chapter is extremely important.
Shows academic respect and the necessity of the feedback.
Test Yourself
Choose the best phrase to complete the sentence regarding a critical safety rule.
Seguir as normas de segurança é ___ para evitar acidentes.
Safety rules are critical, so the most emphatic and formal phrase is required.
Which word is used as an intensifier in this specific collocation?
No contexto desta frase, a palavra '___' serve para dar ênfase.
In this specific rhetorical structure, 'pouco' acts as an intensifier rather than meaning 'a small amount'.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Scale of Importance
Used with friends for basic stuff.
É importante.
Standard daily communication.
É muito importante.
Professional or serious emphasis.
Pouco extremamente importante.
Legal or academic writing.
De suma importância.
When to use 'Pouco Extremamente Importante'
Job Interview
Discussing key skills.
Medical Advice
Discussing health risks.
Legal Matters
Reviewing a contract.
Breaking News
Announcing a major event.
Practice Bank
2 exercisesSeguir as normas de segurança é ___ para evitar acidentes.
Safety rules are critical, so the most emphatic and formal phrase is required.
No contexto desta frase, a palavra '___' serve para dar ênfase.
In this specific rhetorical structure, 'pouco' acts as an intensifier rather than meaning 'a small amount'.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsTechnically yes, but in this rhetorical structure, it functions as an intensifier. It's like saying 'not just a little, but extremely'.
No, it is quite formal. You would use muito importante or pra caramba in slang contexts.
Yes, it is perfect for highlighting a critical task in a professional email like Este relatório é pouco extremamente importante.
Yes, it carries more weight and a more formal, sophisticated tone than the standard muito importante.
Yes, you could say a witness is pouco extremamente importante for a case, implying they are essential.
It is understood in both, but you'll see it more in Portuguese literature and formal European Portuguese speech.
There isn't a perfect one, but 'no small matter' or 'critically important' captures the spirit best.
Yes, but it's tricky. Pouco relevante usually means 'not very relevant', so this specific phrase is a bit of an exception.
Only if you use it for something obviously unimportant, like Este café está pouco extremamente importante.
Yes, it is a recognized rhetorical device called litotes, used for emphasis through understatement.
Related Phrases
De suma importância
Of utmost importance
Crucial
Crucial / Critical
Fundamental
Fundamental / Essential
Vital
Vital
