Meaning
To be responsible for or look after something or someone.
Cultural Background
In Brazil, 'tomar conta' is often used in a friendly, informal way to mean 'I'll handle it, don't worry'. In Portugal, it is often used in professional contexts to mean 'to be in charge of'. Usage is similar to Brazil, often emphasizing the communal aspect of looking after one another. Used frequently in both formal and informal settings to denote responsibility.
The 'De' Rule
Always check if you need 'do', 'da', 'dos', or 'das' after 'tomar conta'.
Don't skip the preposition
Saying 'tomar conta o bebê' sounds very incorrect to native speakers.
Meaning
To be responsible for or look after something or someone.
The 'De' Rule
Always check if you need 'do', 'da', 'dos', or 'das' after 'tomar conta'.
Don't skip the preposition
Saying 'tomar conta o bebê' sounds very incorrect to native speakers.
Use it for work
It is a great way to show initiative in a professional setting.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form.
Eu vou _____ do seu cachorro enquanto você viaja.
The phrase is 'tomar conta', and the 'do' (de + o) is already provided.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct sentence.
You must use the preposition 'de' which contracts with 'o' to form 'do'.
Match the situation to the meaning.
Match: 1. Babysitting, 2. Project management
Both use the same phrase but apply to different contexts.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Quem vai _____ da casa? B: Eu tomo conta.
The phrase 'tomar conta' is required to complete the collocation.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEu vou _____ do seu cachorro enquanto você viaja.
The phrase is 'tomar conta', and the 'do' (de + o) is already provided.
Choose the correct sentence.
You must use the preposition 'de' which contracts with 'o' to form 'do'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Both use the same phrase but apply to different contexts.
A: Quem vai _____ da casa? B: Eu tomo conta.
The phrase 'tomar conta' is required to complete the collocation.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is better to use 'cuidar da saúde'.
It is neutral and fits almost anywhere.
'Tomar conta' is more task-oriented; 'cuidar' is more nurturing.
Yes, it changes based on the subject (eu tomo, ele toma, nós tomamos).
Yes, you can take care of a house, a car, or a project.
Yes, it is common in both.
It will sound like a grammatical error.
Yes, 'o medo tomou conta de mim' is very common.
It is a collocation, not a phrasal verb.
Try saying 'Eu tomo conta de...' with different objects.
Related Phrases
Cuidar de
synonymTo look after
Ficar responsável por
similarTo be responsible for
Assumir o controle
similarTo take control
Olhar por
similarTo watch over
