Meaning
To perform a final check or verification to ensure something is correct or reliable.
Cultural Background
In Brazil, the expression is deeply linked to the 'tabuada' (multiplication table) culture. It's often used by older generations to show they are being careful with money or facts. In Portugal, the phrase maintains a slightly more formal, traditional tone but is widely understood by all ages as a synonym for 'comprovação'. Commonly used in Angolan media, especially in political commentary, to describe the 'moment of truth' for government projects. Similar to other Lusophone countries, it is used in educational contexts to encourage students to be rigorous.
Use it for emphasis
Use this phrase when you want to sound authoritative and thorough. It shows you aren't just checking; you are verifying properly.
Don't change the number
Never say 'prova dos oito' or 'prova dos dez'. The idiom is fixed to the number nine.
Meaning
To perform a final check or verification to ensure something is correct or reliable.
Use it for emphasis
Use this phrase when you want to sound authoritative and thorough. It shows you aren't just checking; you are verifying properly.
Don't change the number
Never say 'prova dos oito' or 'prova dos dez'. The idiom is fixed to the number nine.
Noves fora
If you want to sound really advanced, use 'noves fora' to mean 'anyway' or 'aside from that'.
Test Yourself
Complete a frase com a expressão correta.
Não tenho certeza se o cálculo está certo, vou ________ a prova dos nove.
O verbo padrão usado com esta expressão é 'tirar' (ou 'fazer').
Qual é o significado figurado de 'tirar a prova dos nove'?
O que significa a expressão no contexto: 'O jogo de hoje será a prova dos nove para o time'?
Figurativamente, a expressão significa um teste final ou decisivo.
Associe a situação ao uso da expressão.
Em qual destas situações é mais natural usar 'tirar a prova dos nove'?
A expressão é usada para verificações importantes e definitivas.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesNão tenho certeza se o cálculo está certo, vou ________ a prova dos nove.
O verbo padrão usado com esta expressão é 'tirar' (ou 'fazer').
O que significa a expressão no contexto: 'O jogo de hoje será a prova dos nove para o time'?
Figurativamente, a expressão significa um teste final ou decisivo.
Em qual destas situações é mais natural usar 'tirar a prova dos nove'?
A expressão é usada para verificações importantes e definitivas.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, 'fazer a prova dos nove' is very common, especially in Brazil. Both are correct.
It has a traditional feel, but it is still widely used in news, business, and daily life. It's not 'dead' at all.
No, nowadays it is used 90% of the time in non-mathematical contexts to mean 'final verification'.
It is always 'dos nove' (masculine plural) because it refers to 'os números nove'.
The best equivalents are 'the acid test', 'the ultimate test', or 'to double-check'.
Yes, it is perfectly common in Portugal, though the pronunciation of 'nove' will differ.
Yes, it sounds professional and confident if used to suggest a practical demonstration of your skills.
It means 'aside from' or 'discounting'. It's a related expression derived from the same math process.
No. In math, there is a 'prova dos onze' (casting out elevens), but it never became a popular idiom.
Because of a mathematical property where the remainder of a number divided by 9 is the same as the sum of its digits divided by 9.
Related Phrases
Pôr os pontos nos is
similarTo clarify things precisely.
Passar a limpo
similarTo rewrite or settle a situation.
Noves fora
builds onAside from / Discounting.
Ver para crer
similarSeeing is believing.
