In 15 Seconds
- Means your claim is supported by facts and evidence.
- Common in business, academia, and serious debates.
- Combines 'respaldo' (support) with 'dados' (data).
Meaning
It means your argument or claim is supported by hard evidence and data. It's the Portuguese way of saying you aren't just guessing—you have the receipts to prove it.
Key Examples
3 of 6In a corporate meeting
Nossa nova estratégia de marketing está totalmente respaldada por dados.
Our new marketing strategy is fully backed by data.
Debating with a friend about sports
Dizer que ele é o melhor jogador é um fato respaldado por dados.
Saying he is the best player is a fact backed by data.
Writing a university essay
O argumento do autor não parece estar respaldado por dados recentes.
The author's argument doesn't seem to be backed by recent data.
Cultural Background
This expression gained massive popularity in the 2010s as the 'Big Data' era hit the Portuguese-speaking business world. It represents a shift away from 'feeling' or 'intuition' (feeling) toward a more analytical, globalized approach to decision-making. In Brazil specifically, it is often used to counter 'fake news' or unsubstantiated claims in public discourse.
Gender Agreement
Remember that 'respaldado' changes to 'respaldada' if the thing you are describing is feminine (like 'uma ideia' or 'uma decisão').
The 'Achismo' Antidote
In Brazil, people hate 'achismo' (guessing). Using this phrase makes you the hero who actually did the homework.
In 15 Seconds
- Means your claim is supported by facts and evidence.
- Common in business, academia, and serious debates.
- Combines 'respaldo' (support) with 'dados' (data).
What It Means
Imagine you are building a house. You need a solid foundation, right? Respaldado por dados is that foundation for your ideas. It means your statement isn't just an opinion. It is built on facts, statistics, and solid information. In Portuguese, respaldo implies support or a safety net. When you use this phrase, you are telling people your idea is safe and verified.
How To Use It
You use it as an adjective phrase to describe a plan or a person. You can say a project is respaldado por dados. You can also say your opinion is respaldado por dados. It usually follows the verb estar (to be) or ser (to be). It sounds smart but not overly robotic. It’s like wearing a sharp suit to a casual lunch.
When To Use It
Use it whenever you need to sound convincing. It is perfect for office meetings when the boss asks 'Why?'. It works great in academic papers or news reports. You can even use it with friends when debating which pizza place is better. 'My choice is respaldada por dados from five different review apps!' It adds a layer of authority to your voice.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for purely emotional or romantic situations. Telling your partner your love is respaldado por dados might get you a weird look. Avoid it in very high-slang environments like a skate park or a rave. It can sound a bit 'corporate' if you overdo it. If you're just guessing, definitely stay away from this phrase. It implies a level of certainty you might not actually have.
Cultural Background
Brazil and Portugal have become very tech-centric in the last decade. Data is the new gold in the Lusophone business world. This phrase shifted from strictly scientific papers to everyday professional life. It reflects a cultural move towards meritocracy and evidence-based decisions. It shows you are a modern, informed person who values truth over 'achismo' (the habit of just guessing).
Common Variations
You might hear com base em dados which is a bit more common. Another one is sustentado por evidências for a more academic vibe. If you want to be quick, just say it's comprovado. But respaldado has a certain elegance that the others lack. It makes you sound like you really know your stuff.
Usage Notes
This is a high-level expression (B2/C1). It is most effective in professional, academic, or argumentative settings where you want to emphasize credibility.
Gender Agreement
Remember that 'respaldado' changes to 'respaldada' if the thing you are describing is feminine (like 'uma ideia' or 'uma decisão').
The 'Achismo' Antidote
In Brazil, people hate 'achismo' (guessing). Using this phrase makes you the hero who actually did the homework.
Don't be a robot
While it sounds professional, using it three times in one conversation makes you sound like a LinkedIn bot. Use it sparingly for impact!
Examples
6Nossa nova estratégia de marketing está totalmente respaldada por dados.
Our new marketing strategy is fully backed by data.
Used here to give the team confidence in a new direction.
Dizer que ele é o melhor jogador é um fato respaldado por dados.
Saying he is the best player is a fact backed by data.
Adds a humorous layer of 'seriousness' to a casual debate.
O argumento do autor não parece estar respaldado por dados recentes.
The author's argument doesn't seem to be backed by recent data.
A standard way to critique a source in academia.
Fica tranquilo, o relatório tá bem respaldado por dados.
Don't worry, the report is well-supported by data.
Informal contraction 'tá' mixed with a formal expression for reassurance.
Essa escolha médica está respaldada por dados de estudos clínicos.
This medical choice is backed by data from clinical studies.
Provides a sense of security in a high-stakes situation.
O otimismo do governo não está respaldado por dados do PIB.
The government's optimism is not backed by GDP data.
Classic journalistic use to challenge a statement.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to complete the professional claim.
Minha proposta de aumento está ___ por dados de performance.
Since 'proposta' is a feminine noun, the adjective 'respaldada' must also be feminine.
Complete the sentence to sound like an expert.
Não é apenas uma opinião; é um fato ___ por dados.
'Respaldado' is the specific term for being supported or backed by evidence.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Respaldado por dados'
Talking to family about chores
Baseado no que eu vi...
Discussing a hobby with friends
Com base em fatos...
Business presentations/Articles
Respaldado por dados...
Legal or Scientific documents
Devidamente corroborado por evidências empíricas...
Where to use 'Respaldado por dados'
Job Interview
Explaining your past results
University
Writing a thesis or paper
News Room
Reporting on statistics
Serious Debate
Winning an argument with facts
Practice Bank
2 exercisesMinha proposta de aumento está ___ por dados de performance.
Since 'proposta' is a feminine noun, the adjective 'respaldada' must also be feminine.
Não é apenas uma opinião; é um fato ___ por dados.
'Respaldado' is the specific term for being supported or backed by evidence.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt comes from 'back' (back of a chair). It means having something behind you to support you, like dar respaldo (to give support).
Yes, but usually as a joke to sound overly serious. For example: Minha fome está respaldada por dados: não como há 6 horas!
Almost! Baseado em is more common and neutral. Respaldado por sounds more authoritative and protective of the claim.
No, you can be respaldado pela lei (backed by law) or respaldado pela empresa (backed by the company).
Absolutely. It is standard formal Portuguese used across all Lusophone countries in professional contexts.
In Brazil, it's 'hes-pal-DA-du'. In Portugal, the 'r' is softer and the vowels are more closed.
Yes! You can say O gerente está respaldado pela diretoria, meaning the manager has the board's support.
Always use por (or pelo/pela). Respaldado por dados is the correct grammatical structure.
You could say something is sem fundamento (without foundation) or baseado em boatos (based on rumors).
In this context, yes. You are usually referring to a collection of information, so dados stays plural.
Related Phrases
Com base em
Based on
Comprovado por
Proven by
Dar respaldo
To provide support/backing
Fundamentado em
Grounded in
