Meaning
Used as a toast or when someone sneezes.
Cultural Background
The 'Eye Contact' Rule: You must look the person in the eye when saying 'Saúde' during a toast. If you don't, you get 7 years of bad luck in your love life. The 'Tim-tim' Addition: Brazilians love onomatopoeia. 'Tim-tim' mimics the sound of glasses and is almost always paired with 'Saúde'. Respect for Elders: When toasting with an elder, it is common to use a slightly more formal tone, though 'Saúde' remains the core word. Toasting with Water: It is widely considered bad luck to toast with water. If you don't have alcohol, some people will just raise their glass without clinking.
The Double Sneeze
If someone sneezes twice, say 'Saúde' then 'Amém'. It makes you sound like a native!
Don't be silent
In Portuguese culture, staying silent when someone sneezes can seem cold. A quick 'Saúde' is always better.
Meaning
Used as a toast or when someone sneezes.
The Double Sneeze
If someone sneezes twice, say 'Saúde' then 'Amém'. It makes you sound like a native!
Don't be silent
In Portuguese culture, staying silent when someone sneezes can seem cold. A quick 'Saúde' is always better.
Eye Contact
In Portugal, look them in the eye or prepare for 7 years of bad dates!
Test Yourself
Someone just sneezed in the elevator. What do you say?
Atchim!
Saúde is the standard polite response to a sneeze.
Complete the toast.
Vamos brindar! À nossa ____!
'À nossa saúde' is a common full-phrase toast.
Match the phrase to the country.
Which word is more common for a sneeze in Portugal than in Brazil?
Santinho is a traditional Portuguese (PT-PT) response to a sneeze.
Complete the conversation.
Ana: (Clinks glass) Saúde, Pedro! Pedro: ________!
When someone toasts to you, you respond with 'Saúde' as well.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to say Saúde!
Social
- • Toasts
- • Parties
- • Dinners
Physical
- • Sneezing
- • Cold weather
- • Allergies
Practice Bank
4 exercisesAtchim!
Saúde is the standard polite response to a sneeze.
Vamos brindar! À nossa ____!
'À nossa saúde' is a common full-phrase toast.
Which word is more common for a sneeze in Portugal than in Brazil?
Santinho is a traditional Portuguese (PT-PT) response to a sneeze.
Ana: (Clinks glass) Saúde, Pedro! Pedro: ________!
When someone toasts to you, you respond with 'Saúde' as well.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsYou can, but culturally it's often avoided as it's considered 'bad luck' in some traditions. Better to just say it without clinking.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Simply say 'Obrigado' (if you are male) or 'Obrigada' (if you are female).
The literal translation 'Deus te abençoe' exists but 'Saúde' is much more common for sneezes.
Related Phrases
Tim-tim
similarThe sound of glasses clinking.
Santinho
specialized formLittle saint.
Um brinde
builds onA toast.
Viva
synonymLive!
À sua
specialized formTo yours.
