Meaning
To experience good fortune or favorable circumstances.
Cultural Background
Brazilians often use 'dar sorte' to refer to objects or actions that bring luck, like wearing yellow for money or eating lentils on New Year's. In Portugal, 'ter sorte' is often used in a more reserved way. Excessive boasting about luck can be seen as inviting 'mau-olhado' (the evil eye). The 'figa' (a fist with the thumb between the index and middle fingers) is a common hand gesture used to ensure one continues to 'ter sorte'.
The 'Have' Rule
Always associate luck with possession. You 'own' your luck in Portuguese.
Ser vs Ter
Using 'Eu sou sorte' sounds like you are the physical embodiment of luck itself, which is poetic but usually wrong.
Meaning
To experience good fortune or favorable circumstances.
The 'Have' Rule
Always associate luck with possession. You 'own' your luck in Portuguese.
Ser vs Ter
Using 'Eu sou sorte' sounds like you are the physical embodiment of luck itself, which is poetic but usually wrong.
Adding Emphasis
Use 'muita' (much) to say 'very lucky': 'Tenho muita sorte'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'ter'.
Eu ______ muita sorte ontem no jogo.
'Ontem' (yesterday) requires the preterite past tense.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the correct option:
Luck is something you 'have' in Portuguese.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Perdi meu ônibus!' B: 'Que ______, o próximo chega em 2 minutos!'
The context of the next bus arriving quickly makes it a lucky situation.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You found 50 euros on the sidewalk.
Finding money is a classic example of having luck.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEu ______ muita sorte ontem no jogo.
'Ontem' (yesterday) requires the preterite past tense.
Select the correct option:
Luck is something you 'have' in Portuguese.
A: 'Perdi meu ônibus!' B: 'Que ______, o próximo chega em 2 minutos!'
The context of the next bus arriving quickly makes it a lucky situation.
You found 50 euros on the sidewalk.
Finding money is a classic example of having luck.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
6 questionsYes! It means you are currently having a lucky streak. 'Ter sorte' is more general.
It is feminine: 'a sorte'. So you say 'muita sorte', not 'muito sorte'.
Simply say 'Boa sorte!'.
The opposite is 'ter azar'.
Yes, it is perfectly neutral and professional.
It's an informal way to say 'I got lucky'. 'Dar sorte' usually means 'to bring luck', but in the first person 'eu dei sorte', it means 'I was lucky'.
Related Phrases
Ter azar
contrastTo be unlucky.
Dar sorte
similarTo bring luck.
Por sorte
builds onLuckily / By luck.
