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A2 noun 12 min read

à volta

Q: Can 'à volta' be used to describe abstract concepts?

Yes, metaphorically. For example, 'A conversa girou à volta de um tema específico' (The conversation revolved around a specific topic). Or 'A sua influência estendia-se à volta de todos os seus colaboradores' (His influence extended around all his collaborators).

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips à volta in 30 Seconds

Explanation à volta in your Level:

400+w

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

à volta in 30 Seconds

Use 'à volta' for general areas and proximity.
'À volta' means around or nearby.
It indicates a location in the vicinity or movement around something.
Remember 'à volta de' when followed by a noun.

Core Meaning: The phrase 'à volta' in Portuguese primarily signifies 'around' or 'in the vicinity.' It's used to indicate a general area or location without specifying an exact spot. Think of it as a less precise way of saying 'nearby' or 'in the general neighborhood.'
Spatial Reference: It helps describe where something is located in relation to a point of reference, or where an action takes place. For instance, if you're looking for a shop, you might ask if it's 'à volta' of the main square. This implies it's in the general area, not necessarily right on the square itself, but close by.
Movement and Direction: 'À volta' can also imply movement or a general direction. If someone says they are going 'à volta' of the park, it means they are going to walk around it or in the area surrounding it. It suggests a circular path or exploring the general surroundings.
Temporal Usage (Less Common): While less frequent and often superseded by other phrases, 'à volta' can sometimes hint at a general timeframe, like 'around that time,' but this is a more nuanced usage and less common at the A2 level. For beginners, focus on its spatial meaning.
Informal Contexts: You'll hear this phrase most often in everyday, informal conversations. It's a very practical expression for navigating and describing places in a relaxed manner. When asking for directions or describing where something is, 'à volta' is a natural choice.
Example Scenarios: Imagine you are in Lisbon and asking a local where the nearest bakery is. They might point vaguely and say, 'Está ali à volta do quarteirão.' (It's there, around the block.) Or, if you're talking about a party, you could say, 'Havia muita gente à volta da piscina.' (There were many people around the pool.) This indicates a general gathering in the vicinity of the pool, not necessarily in a perfect circle but spread around it.
Key Takeaway: 'À volta' is your go-to phrase for indicating a general area or proximity, perfect for everyday situations when you don't need to be hyper-specific. It's about being in the general vicinity or moving in a general surrounding area.

Onde fica o restaurante? Está ali à volta da praça principal.

Vamos dar uma caminhada à volta do lago.

Ele mora nas redondezas, à volta do centro da cidade.

Procurei as chaves em todo o lado, mas não as encontrei à volta da mesa.

A festa está a acontecer à volta do jardim.

Basic Structure

The most common structure is 'estar à volta de [noun]' (to be around [noun]) or 'ir à volta de [noun]' (to go around [noun]). The preposition 'de' is usually required when followed by a noun or noun phrase, connecting 'à volta' to the reference point. However, in simpler contexts, it might stand alone to indicate a general area, like 'Está ali à volta.' (It's over there, around.)

Describing Location

Use 'à volta' to indicate that something is located in the general area of a landmark or place. For example, 'Onde é a farmácia?' (Where is the pharmacy?) 'Fica à volta da estação de comboios.' (It's around the train station.) This tells the listener that the pharmacy is in the vicinity of the station, not necessarily right next to it, but in that general zone.

Describing Movement

When talking about movement, 'à volta' suggests a path that encircles or explores the surroundings of something. 'As crianças estavam a correr à volta do parque.' (The children were running around the park.) This implies they were not just running in one spot but moving in a circular or general path within or surrounding the park.

Referring to Groups

It's also used to describe people or things gathered in an area. 'Havia um grupo de pessoas à volta da fogueira.' (There was a group of people around the bonfire.) This paints a picture of people congregating in the vicinity of the bonfire.

With Numbers

Sometimes, 'à volta' can be used with numbers to give an approximate quantity or size. For example, 'O bolo custou à volta de vinte euros.' (The cake cost around twenty euros.) In this context, it means approximately twenty euros, not exactly twenty. However, this usage is more common with 'cerca de' or 'aproximadamente'. Stick to the spatial meaning for A2.

Common Verbs

Key verbs that pair well with 'à volta' include: 'estar' (to be), 'ficar' (to be located), 'andar' (to walk/move), 'correr' (to run), 'dar' (to give, often in 'dar uma volta' - to take a walk), 'haver/ter' (there to be), 'procurar' (to look for), 'ver' (to see).

Sentence Examples

O parque de estacionamento fica à volta do centro comercial. (The parking lot is around the shopping mall.)
Dei uma caminhada à volta do bairro para ver as lojas novas. (I took a walk around the neighborhood to see the new shops.)
As crianças brincavam à volta da mesa da cozinha. (The children were playing around the kitchen table.)
Está um bom tempo à volta de Lisboa hoje. (The weather is nice around Lisbon today.)
Ela viu um grupo de pássaros à volta da árvore. (She saw a group of birds around the tree.)

Onde está a estação de autocarros? Fica à volta da rotunda.

Os turistas passeavam à volta do monumento.

A loja de souvenirs está à volta do mercado.

Encontrámos um bom restaurante à volta do hotel.

Eles construíram uma cerca à volta do jardim.

Everyday Conversations: 'À volta' is a staple in casual, everyday Portuguese. You'll hear it constantly from native speakers when they are discussing locations, giving directions, or describing where people or things are situated. It's the kind of phrase that becomes second nature because it's used so frequently in spontaneous speech.
Navigating Cities and Towns: When you're traveling in Portugal or Brazil and need directions, asking 'Onde fica...?' (Where is...?) will often be answered with 'à volta'. For example, someone might say, 'A praça principal fica à volta da catedral.' (The main square is around the cathedral.) This is incredibly useful for tourists trying to orient themselves.
Describing Events and Gatherings: If there's a party, a meeting, or any kind of gathering, people will often describe the scene using 'à volta'. 'Estavam muitas pessoas à volta da mesa para o jantar.' (There were many people around the table for dinner.) Or 'Os amigos reuniram-se à volta da fogueira.' (The friends gathered around the bonfire.)
Talking About Activities: When discussing activities like walking, running, or cycling, 'à volta' is common. 'Gosto de correr à volta do parque nos fins de semana.' (I like to run around the park on weekends.) Or 'Vamos dar um passeio à volta da costa.' (Let's take a walk around the coast.)
Informal Radio and Podcasts: Listen to informal Portuguese radio shows or podcasts discussing local events, travel, or everyday life. You will frequently encounter 'à volta' used in descriptions of places and activities. It's a natural part of the spoken language.
Family and Friends: In a family setting, parents might tell children to stay 'à volta' of the house when playing outside. Friends might arrange to meet 'à volta' of a specific café. It’s embedded in the fabric of casual communication.

Na televisão, o repórter disse: 'A multidão está reunida à volta do palco.'

Numa conversa informal: 'Onde vais jantar?' 'Não sei, talvez à volta do centro.'

Um pai a falar com o filho: 'Fica à volta de casa, não vás muito longe.'

Num podcast de viagens: 'As melhores vistas ficam à volta daquela montanha.'

Numa descrição de evento: 'Havia muitas barracas à volta da feira.'

Confusing with 'em volta': While 'em volta' can sometimes be used similarly, 'à volta' is generally preferred for indicating movement or a more active sense of being 'around'. 'Em volta' can sometimes imply simply being surrounded or enclosed. For example, 'As flores cresciam à volta do lago' (The flowers grew around the lake - implying a path or area) is more common than 'em volta' for this specific imagery. Stick to 'à volta' for general vicinity and movement.
Forgetting the 'de': A frequent error is omitting the preposition 'de' when 'à volta' is followed by a noun or noun phrase. While 'Está ali à volta' (It's over there, around) is correct as a standalone phrase, when you specify what it's around, you need 'de'. So, 'à volta da casa' (around the house) is correct, not 'à volta casa'. Remember: 'à volta de [something]'.
Overusing it for Specificity: 'À volta' means 'around' or 'in the vicinity'. It's not meant for pinpointing an exact location. Saying 'O meu amigo está à volta da cadeira' (My friend is around the chair) might be correct if they are standing near it, but if they are sitting *in* the chair, you'd say 'na cadeira'. Use 'à volta' for general areas, not precise spots.
Confusing with 'ao redor': 'Ao redor' also means 'around' or 'surrounding'. While similar, 'à volta' often implies more movement or a path taken, whereas 'ao redor' can describe a static state of being surrounded. For example, 'Ele caminhou à volta do lago' (He walked around the lake) emphasizes the action of walking. 'As árvores estavam ao redor da casa' (The trees were around the house) describes their static position. At the A2 level, focusing on 'à volta' for general vicinity and movement is key.
Incorrect Gender/Number Agreement: The phrase itself, 'à volta', does not change for gender or number. However, the 'de' particle contracts with the article that follows the noun. So, if the noun is masculine singular, it's 'à volta do'; if feminine singular, 'à volta da'; masculine plural, 'à volta dos'; feminine plural, 'à volta das'. Ensure you use the correct contraction based on the noun it refers to.

Mistake: 'Onde está o café? Está à volta praça.'
Correction: 'Onde está o café? Está à volta da praça.'

Mistake: 'Vamos andar à volta parque.'
Correction: 'Vamos andar à volta do parque.'

Mistake: 'As crianças estão à volta mesa.'
Correction: 'As crianças estão à volta da mesa.'

Mistake: 'Onde fica a loja? Fica ao redor esquina.'
Correction: 'Onde fica a loja? Fica à volta da esquina.' (or 'perto da esquina' for more directness)

Mistake: 'Ele mora à volta centro.'
Correction: 'Ele mora à volta do centro.'

'Perto de' (Near): Comparison: 'Perto de' is more direct and often implies closer proximity than 'à volta'. While 'à volta' indicates a general area, 'perto de' suggests being in the immediate vicinity.
Example: 'O hotel fica à volta da estação' (The hotel is around the station - general area). vs. 'O hotel fica perto da estação' (The hotel is near the station - closer proximity).
'Nas redondezas' (In the surroundings/nearby): Comparison: This phrase is very similar in meaning to 'à volta' and often interchangeable. It emphasizes the general area or neighborhood.
Example: 'Há bons restaurantes à volta do centro' (There are good restaurants around the center). vs. 'Há bons restaurantes nas redondezas do centro' (There are good restaurants in the surroundings of the center).
'Cerca de' (Around/Approximately): Comparison: While 'cerca de' can mean 'around' in a spatial sense, it is much more commonly used to indicate approximation in numbers or time. 'À volta' is primarily spatial.
Example: 'A viagem demorou à volta de duas horas' (The trip took around two hours - less common, 'cerca de' is better). vs. 'Ele mora à volta do rio' (He lives around the river - spatial, common). 'O preço é cerca de 50 euros' (The price is around 50 euros - numerical approximation).
'Em redor de' (Around/Surrounding): Comparison: 'Em redor de' often implies a more encompassing or surrounding presence, sometimes more static than the movement implied by 'à volta'.
Example: 'Os guardas estavam à volta do edifício' (The guards were around the building - could be patrolling). vs. 'As muralhas estavam em redor do castelo' (The walls were around the castle - describing a static, enclosing structure).
'Por perto' (Nearby): Comparison: Similar to 'perto de', 'por perto' indicates proximity. It's a common adverbial phrase.
Example: 'Procurámos um hotel à volta da cidade' (We looked for a hotel around the city - general area). vs. 'Procurámos um hotel por perto' (We looked for a hotel nearby - more general sense of proximity).
'Ao redor' (Around): Comparison: As mentioned in common mistakes, 'ao redor' can be used similarly but sometimes implies a more static surrounding. For movement or general area, 'à volta' is often more natural.
Example: 'As pessoas dançavam à volta da música' (People danced around the music - implying movement in response). vs. 'As árvores cresciam ao redor do lago' (Trees grew around the lake - describing their location).

'À volta' vs 'Perto de': O café fica à volta da biblioteca (general area) vs. O café fica perto da biblioteca (closer).

'À volta' vs 'Nas redondezas': Estava um mercado à volta da praça. Estava um mercado nas redondezas da praça. (Very similar meanings.)

'À volta' vs 'Cerca de': Ele correu à volta do parque. (Movement). O livro custou cerca de 15 euros. (Approximation).

'À volta' vs 'Em redor de': Os cães latiam à volta do carteiro. (Patrolling/following). As flores cresciam em redor da casa. (Surrounding).

'À volta' vs 'Por perto': Vamos passear à volta do lago. (Specific path). Há um bom restaurante por perto. (General nearby location).

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Fun Fact

The word 'volta' itself is related to the English word 'vault' (as in a vault of heaven or a bank vault), which also signifies a curve or a turn. This shared root highlights the fundamental concept of turning or curving in both languages.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /a ˈvɔlta/

US /a ˈvɔlta/

The stress falls on the second syllable: à VOL-ta.

Rhymes With

falta multa alta planta anta santa canta manta

Common Errors

Pronouncing the initial 'a' as a long 'ah' sound.
Making the 'o' in 'volta' too closed, like the 'o' in 'go'.
Omitting the stress on the second syllable.
Pronouncing the 't' as a 'th' sound (common in some English dialects).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

At A2 level, 'à volta' is frequently encountered in simple descriptive texts and dialogues. Understanding its core meaning of 'around' or 'in the vicinity' is crucial for comprehension. The complexity arises with its use in more abstract or metaphorical contexts at higher levels.

Writing 2/5

Constructing sentences with 'à volta' is straightforward at A2, especially when following common patterns like 'à volta de + noun' or 'dar uma volta'. The main challenge is remembering to include the 'de' (or its contraction) when specifying the reference point.

Speaking 2/5

Using 'à volta' in spoken Portuguese is very natural and common for everyday situations. Learners might initially hesitate to use it correctly, especially regarding contractions, but practice leads to fluency.

Listening 2/5

Recognizing 'à volta' in spoken Portuguese is generally easy due to its common usage and clear pronunciation. The context usually helps clarify its meaning.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

de a o estar ficar andar dar

Learn Next

perto de longe de nas redondezas ao redor

Advanced

voltar dar a volta por cima dar a volta à cabeça

Grammar to Know

Prepositional contractions: 'de' + article.

When 'de' is followed by 'o', 'a', 'os', or 'as', it contracts: do, da, dos, das. So, 'à volta de o parque' becomes 'à volta do parque'.

Verb conjugations (estar, ficar, andar, dar).

'Ele está à volta da casa.' (He is around the house.) 'Vamos dar uma volta.' (Let's take a walk.)

Use of 'a' in feminine phrases.

The phrase itself is 'à volta' (a + a). When followed by 'de' and a feminine noun, it becomes 'à volta da'. Example: 'à volta da praça'.

Adverbial use of phrases.

'À volta' can function as an adverb modifying a verb, indicating where an action takes place. Example: 'Ele mora à volta.' (He lives around.)

Articles and noun gender.

The correct contraction ('do', 'da', 'dos', 'das') depends on the gender and number of the noun following 'à volta de'. Example: 'à volta do rio' (masculine singular), 'à volta das ruas' (feminine plural).

Examples by Level

Onde está a loja? Está ali.

Where is the shop? It's over there.

Simple location.

Vamos passear no parque.

Let's walk in the park.

Basic movement.

Há muitas pessoas aqui.

There are many people here.

Describing a group.

Onde fica a minha casa?

Where is my house?

Asking for location.

Ele está perto de mim.

He is near me.

Proximity.

A bola está debaixo da mesa.

The ball is under the table.

Preposition of place.

Onde está o meu livro?

Where is my book?

Asking for an object.

Vamos comer juntos.

Let's eat together.

Suggesting an activity.

Onde fica a estação de comboios? Fica à volta da praça principal.

Where is the train station? It's around the main square.

'à volta de' + noun (masculine singular).

Vamos dar uma caminhada à volta do lago.

Let's take a walk around the lake.

'à volta de' + noun (masculine singular) with verb of movement.

Ele mora nas redondezas, à volta do centro da cidade.

He lives nearby, around the city center.

'à volta de' + noun (masculine singular).

Procurei as chaves em todo o lado, mas não as encontrei à volta da mesa.

I looked for the keys everywhere, but I didn't find them around the table.

'à volta de' + noun (feminine singular).

A festa está a acontecer à volta do jardim.

The party is happening around the garden.

'à volta de' + noun (masculine singular).

Há muitas lojas à volta do centro comercial.

There are many shops around the shopping mall.

'à volta de' + noun (masculine singular).

Os turistas caminhavam à volta do monumento histórico.

The tourists were walking around the historical monument.

'à volta de' + noun (masculine singular) with verb of movement.

Encontrámos um bom restaurante à volta da praça.

We found a good restaurant around the square.

'à volta de' + noun (feminine singular).

A cidade antiga estende-se à volta do rio principal.

The old city extends around the main river.

Describing spatial extent.

Os manifestantes reuniram-se à volta do edifício do governo.

The protesters gathered around the government building.

Describing a gathering.

Ele gosta de fazer exercício à volta do parque todas as manhãs.

He likes to exercise around the park every morning.

Habitual movement.

A casa tem um grande jardim à volta dela.

The house has a large garden around it.

Describing surroundings.

Vimos muitos animais selvagens à volta da reserva natural.

We saw many wild animals around the nature reserve.

Describing wildlife location.

A equipa celebrou a vitória à volta do campo de futebol.

The team celebrated the victory around the football field.

Describing a celebration's location.

O novo centro comercial fica à volta das estradas principais.

The new shopping center is located around the main roads.

Describing location relative to infrastructure.

As crianças brincavam despreocupadamente à volta da fonte na praça.

The children played carefree around the fountain in the square.

Describing children's play area.

A expansão urbana tem vindo a estender-se à volta das áreas industriais.

Urban expansion has been extending around the industrial areas.

Describing urban development patterns.

O artista pintou um mural que circunda o edifício, com cenas à volta de toda a estrutura.

The artist painted a mural that surrounds the building, with scenes around the entire structure.

Describing artistic elements covering a structure.

As investigações focaram-se nos eventos que ocorreram à volta da data do incidente.

The investigations focused on the events that occurred around the date of the incident.

Referring to a time period (less common, but possible).

O pequeno vilarejo prosperou graças à sua localização estratégica à volta das rotas comerciais.

The small village prospered thanks to its strategic location around the trade routes.

Describing geographical advantage.

Os arqueólogos descobriram artefactos interessantes à volta das ruínas da antiga cidade.

The archaeologists discovered interesting artifacts around the ruins of the ancient city.

Describing discovery locations.

A política económica visava estimular o crescimento à volta de todos os setores da sociedade.

The economic policy aimed to stimulate growth around all sectors of society.

Metaphorical use for broad impact.

Os relatos descrevem uma atmosfera de incerteza pairando à volta da decisão política.

The reports describe an atmosphere of uncertainty hanging around the political decision.

Metaphorical use for intangible atmosphere.

A construção da nova autoestrada alterou significativamente o fluxo de tráfego à volta da área metropolitana.

The construction of the new highway significantly altered the traffic flow around the metropolitan area.

Describing impact on infrastructure.

A influência cultural da região estende-se à volta de todas as comunidades vizinhas, moldando os seus costumes e tradições.

The cultural influence of the region extends around all neighboring communities, shaping their customs and traditions.

Describing pervasive influence.

O debate ético em torno da inteligência artificial gira em torno de questões complexas que se manifestam à volta de múltiplos cenários de aplicação.

The ethical debate surrounding artificial intelligence revolves around complex issues that manifest around multiple application scenarios.

Metaphorical use for complex issues.

A estratégia de marketing procurou criar um burburinho mediático significativo à volta do lançamento do novo produto.

The marketing strategy sought to create significant media buzz around the launch of the new product.

Creating anticipation and hype.

Os historiadores debatem a extensão do poder imperial que se projetava à volta das fronteiras do império.

Historians debate the extent of imperial power that projected around the empire's borders.

Describing the reach of power.

A crise económica gerou uma onda de descontentamento que se propagou à volta de todas as classes sociais.

The economic crisis generated a wave of discontent that spread around all social classes.

Describing the spread of social phenomena.

O orador habilmente teceu os seus argumentos, criando uma narrativa envolvente que cativou a audiência à volta do tema principal.

The speaker skillfully wove their arguments, creating an engaging narrative that captivated the audience around the main theme.

Focusing attention on a central topic.

A investigação forense procurou reconstruir os eventos que ocorreram à volta do local do crime, examinando cada detalhe.

The forensic investigation sought to reconstruct the events that occurred around the crime scene, examining every detail.

Detailed examination of an area.

A sua reputação de integridade estendia-se à volta de todos os que o conheciam, tanto pessoal como profissionalmente.

His reputation for integrity extended around all who knew him, both personally and professionally.

Describing the reach of personal qualities.

A dialética hegeliana explora a interconexão de ideias, onde cada conceito se desenvolve e se relaciona com outros conceitos que orbitam à volta de um princípio unificador.

Hegelian dialectics explores the interconnection of ideas, where each concept develops and relates to other concepts orbiting around a unifying principle.

Abstract philosophical concept.

A complexidade da rede neural artificial reside na forma como os neurónios se comunicam e processam informações, criando padrões emergentes que se manifestam à volta de cada camada de processamento.

The complexity of artificial neural networks lies in how neurons communicate and process information, creating emergent patterns that manifest around each processing layer.

Technical description of complex systems.

A crítica literária contemporânea analisa as múltiplas camadas de significado numa obra, observando como os temas secundários se entrelaçam e se definem à volta do núcleo narrativo central.

Contemporary literary criticism analyzes the multiple layers of meaning in a work, observing how secondary themes intertwine and define themselves around the central narrative core.

Sophisticated literary analysis.

A diplomacia internacional procura gerir conflitos e promover a cooperação, estabelecendo um quadro de negociação que abrange os interesses divergentes que circundam à volta de cada nação.

International diplomacy seeks to manage conflicts and promote cooperation, establishing a framework for negotiation that encompasses the divergent interests surrounding each nation.

Complex geopolitical strategy.

A ecologia de um ecossistema é definida pela intrincada teia de relações entre os organismos e o seu ambiente, onde cada espécie desempenha um papel crucial à volta da manutenção do equilíbrio geral.

The ecology of an ecosystem is defined by the intricate web of relationships between organisms and their environment, where each species plays a crucial role around the maintenance of the overall balance.

Scientific description of ecological balance.

A fenomenologia da consciência investiga a experiência subjetiva, explorando como os fenómenos se apresentam e se organizam à volta do ego transcendental.

The phenomenology of consciousness investigates subjective experience, exploring how phenomena present themselves and organize around the transcendental ego.

Advanced philosophical concept.

A teoria da relatividade geral descreve a gravidade como uma curvatura do espaço-tempo, onde a massa e a energia criam distorções que afetam o movimento dos objetos à volta dessas fontes.

The theory of general relativity describes gravity as a curvature of spacetime, where mass and energy create distortions that affect the motion of objects around these sources.

Complex physics concept.

A arquitetura da informação visa organizar o conteúdo de forma lógica e acessível, criando estruturas de navegação que guiam o utilizador à volta das informações relevantes.

Information architecture aims to organize content logically and accessibly, creating navigational structures that guide the user around relevant information.

Technical design principle.

Common Collocations

à volta da

à volta do

estar à volta

andar à volta

correr à volta

ficar à volta

haver/ter à volta

dar uma volta

à volta dos

à volta das

Common Phrases

dar uma volta

— To take a walk, to go for a stroll, or to go around something.

Vamos dar uma volta no parque para apanhar ar fresco. (Let's take a walk in the park to get some fresh air.)

à volta da esquina

— Around the corner. Used to indicate a very nearby location.

A padaria fica logo ali, à volta da esquina. (The bakery is just there, around the corner.)

à volta de

— Around; in the vicinity of. This is the core structure when followed by a noun.

Havia um grupo de pessoas à volta do carro avariado. (There was a group of people around the broken-down car.)

estar à volta

— To be around; to be in the vicinity.

Não vi ninguém à volta quando cheguei.

andar à volta

— To walk around; to wander around.

Ele passou a tarde a andar à volta da cidade velha.

à volta de tudo

— Around everything; encompassing everything. Used metaphorically.

O amor dele estendia-se à volta de tudo o que lhe era querido.

dar uma volta ao mundo

— To travel around the world.

Ele sonha em um dia dar uma volta ao mundo.

à volta do mundo

— Around the world.

A expedição deu a volta ao mundo em seis meses.

à volta de casa

— Around the house; in the vicinity of home.

Os miúdos podem brincar à volta de casa.

à volta de um tema

— Around a topic; concerning a subject. Used metaphorically.

A conversa girava à volta de um tema específico.

Often Confused With

à volta vs Em volta

Often used interchangeably with 'à volta', especially in spoken language. However, 'à volta' can sometimes imply more movement or a specific path, while 'em volta' might suggest being simply surrounded. For A2 learners, focusing on 'à volta' for general vicinity and movement is recommended.

à volta vs Ao redor

Also means 'around' or 'surrounding.' While similar, 'ao redor' can sometimes feel slightly more formal or descriptive of a static state of being surrounded, whereas 'à volta' is very common for describing movement or general proximity in everyday speech.

à volta vs Perto de

'Perto de' means 'near' and implies a closer, more specific proximity than 'à volta,' which denotes a more general area or vicinity.

Idioms & Expressions

"Dar uma volta"

— This idiom has multiple meanings: 1. To take a walk or stroll. 2. To go around something. 3. To make a quick trip or detour. 4. To deceive someone (less common at A2).

Vamos dar uma volta pela praia antes de jantar. (Let's take a walk on the beach before dinner.)

Informal/Neutral

"Dar a volta por cima"

— To overcome a difficult situation; to bounce back after hardship.

Depois da doença, ele conseguiu dar a volta por cima e retomar a sua vida.

Neutral/Informal

"Dar a volta à cabeça"

— To drive someone crazy; to make someone lose their mind.

Essa música não sai da minha cabeça, está a dar a volta à minha cabeça!

Informal

"Dar a volta às coisas"

— To manage to solve problems or find solutions, often in a clever or resourceful way.

Ele é muito bom a dar a volta às coisas quando há dificuldades.

Informal

"Fazer a volta"

— To make a turn; to go around something, often in a vehicle or while walking.

Tenha cuidado ao fazer a volta na esquina.

Neutral

"Dar a volta ao estômago"

— To feel nauseous; to make someone feel sick.

O cheiro da comida estragada deu-me a volta ao estômago.

Informal

"Dar a volta à questão"

— To sidestep an issue; to avoid directly addressing a problem.

Ele tentou dar a volta à questão, mas não conseguiu convencer ninguém.

Neutral

"Volta e meia"

— From time to time; now and then; occasionally.

Volta e meia, vamos jantar fora.

Informal/Neutral

"Dar a volta ao assunto"

— To change the subject; to steer the conversation elsewhere.

Quando o assunto ficou delicado, ele deu a volta ao assunto.

Informal/Neutral

"Ser uma volta"

— To be a round trip; to go and come back.

Fui ao supermercado e voltei, foi só uma volta.

Informal

Easily Confused

à volta vs Em volta

Both phrases indicate a surrounding area or movement around something.

'À volta' is generally more common in everyday spoken Portuguese for indicating general proximity and movement. 'Em volta' is also used but can sometimes imply a more static state of being surrounded. For example, 'As flores crescem à volta da casa' (flowers grow around the house) and 'As flores crescem em volta da casa' are both understandable, but 'à volta' might be slightly more natural for describing a path or area.

'As crianças brincavam à volta do parque.' (movement) vs. 'As árvores estavam em volta da casa.' (static position - though 'à volta' is also common here).

à volta vs Ao redor

Both 'à volta' and 'ao redor' translate to 'around' and are used to describe spatial relationships.

'À volta' is generally more versatile and common in everyday speech for both location and movement. 'Ao redor' can sometimes be used in more descriptive or formal contexts, or to emphasize a complete surrounding. For instance, 'Ele caminhou à volta do lago' emphasizes the action of walking, while 'As montanhas estão ao redor do vale' describes the static landscape.

'Os turistas passeavam à volta do monumento.' (movement) vs. 'Os edifícios estão ao redor da praça.' (description of surrounding buildings).

à volta vs Perto de

Both indicate proximity.

'À volta' refers to a general area or vicinity, suggesting being in the general neighborhood or moving in a circle. 'Perto de' indicates a more specific and closer proximity, meaning 'near' or 'close to.' If you say 'O café fica à volta da rua,' it means it's in that general area. If you say 'O café fica perto da rua,' it's closer and more directly adjacent.

'A loja fica à volta da estação' (general area) vs. 'A loja fica perto da estação' (closer, more specific).

à volta vs Nas redondezas

Both phrases describe a general area or proximity.

'Nas redondezas' literally means 'in the surroundings' or 'in the vicinity.' It is very similar in meaning to 'à volta' when referring to a general area. 'À volta' can sometimes imply movement or a path taken, whereas 'nas redondezas' is more about the general location. They are often interchangeable in context.

'Há um bom restaurante à volta do centro.' (general area) vs. 'Há um bom restaurante nas redondezas do centro.' (very similar meaning).

à volta vs Cerca de

Both can translate to 'around' in certain contexts.

The primary difference is their main usage. 'À volta' is predominantly used for spatial descriptions (around a place, moving around something). 'Cerca de' is most commonly used for numerical approximation ('cerca de 10 euros') or temporal approximation ('cerca de duas horas'). While 'cerca de' can sometimes be used spatially ('cerca de 10 km do centro'), 'à volta' is the standard for describing a general area or movement around a point.

'Ele mora à volta do rio.' (spatial, common) vs. 'Ele mora cerca de 10 km do rio.' (numerical distance).

Sentence Patterns

Location + fica + à volta de + noun

A farmácia fica à volta da esquina.

Verb of movement + à volta de + noun

Caminhamos à volta do parque.

Haver/Ter + noun + à volta

Havia muitas pessoas à volta.

Dar uma volta + location

Vamos dar uma volta pela cidade.

Estar/Ficar + à volta de + noun

O hotel está à volta do centro.

Noun + estende-se + à volta de + noun

A influência da cidade estende-se à volta das vilas vizinhas.

Describing a group gathering + à volta de + noun

Os amigos reuniram-se à volta da fogueira.

Metaphorical use: Atmosphere/effect + pairando/manifestando-se + à volta de + noun

Uma sensação de mistério pairava à volta da casa antiga.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

How to Use It

frequency

Very High

Common Mistakes

Forgetting the preposition 'de' after 'à volta'. → Onde fica a loja? Fica à volta da praça.
When specifying what is being surrounded or in the vicinity of, the preposition 'de' (or its contraction) is required. Saying 'à volta praça' is incorrect.
Using 'à volta' for exact locations. → Onde está a minha chave? Acho que está perto da mesa.
'À volta' indicates a general area or vicinity. For precise locations, use 'perto de' (near), 'em cima de' (on top of), 'debaixo de' (under), etc.
Incorrect contractions. → O centro fica à volta dos museus.
The preposition 'de' contracts with the article based on the gender and number of the following noun. 'Dos' is used here because 'museus' is masculine plural.
Confusing 'à volta' with 'ao redor' for movement. → As crianças correram à volta do jardim.
While 'ao redor' can mean 'around,' 'à volta' is often preferred when describing active movement or a path taken around something, making it more natural for verbs like 'correr' or 'andar'.
Using 'à volta' for numerical approximation. → Havia cerca de vinte pessoas.
While 'cerca de' can be used spatially, it is primarily used for numerical or temporal approximation. 'À volta' is mainly for spatial contexts. Use 'cerca de' for numbers and time.

Tips

Focus on Spatial Meaning

For A2 learners, prioritize the spatial meaning of 'à volta' – indicating a general area or movement around something. While it can have idiomatic uses, mastering the core spatial function is key for foundational understanding.

Remember the Contractions

The preposition 'de' following 'à volta' frequently contracts with articles. Always ensure you use the correct form: 'do' (de + o), 'da' (de + a), 'dos' (de + os), 'das' (de + as). For example, 'à volta do parque'.

Connect with 'Turn'

Remember that 'volta' means 'turn.' Think of 'à volta' as 'taking a turn' or going in a 'circuit' around something. This mnemonic can help solidify the concept of going around an object or area.

Sentence Building

Practice constructing sentences using 'à volta' with different verbs (estar, ficar, andar, dar) and different reference points (nouns). Try to create sentences describing your own surroundings.

Listen for Context

When listening to Portuguese, pay attention to the context surrounding 'à volta.' This will help you differentiate between its use for location, movement, or even metaphorical meanings.

Distinguish from 'Perto de'

Understand that 'à volta' refers to a general area, while 'perto de' implies closer, more specific proximity. Use 'à volta' when you don't need to be precise about the distance.

Learn 'Dar uma volta'

The phrase 'dar uma volta' is very common and has multiple useful meanings, including 'to take a walk' or 'to go around.' Learning this idiom will significantly enhance your conversational fluency.

Common Across Variants

'À volta' is a widely understood and used phrase in both European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese. You will encounter it frequently regardless of which variant you are focusing on.

Visual Associations

Create mental images: a road going 'à volta' of a lake, people standing 'à volta' of a bonfire, or a clock's hands moving 'à volta' of the dial. Visual aids are powerful for retention.

Use in Directions

When giving or asking for directions, 'à volta' is a natural choice for indicating general landmarks or areas. For example, 'Fica à volta da estação' is a common and helpful phrase.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine you are walking 'à volta' (around) a table ('mesa'). The sound 'à volta' sounds a bit like 'a volta' (a turn). So, you take 'a volta' (a turn) around the table.

Visual Association

Picture a clock face. The hands move 'à volta' (around) the numbers. Visualize a circular path drawn around a central object, like a park around a lake.

Word Web

Location Proximity Surroundings Movement around General area Vicinity Around Nearby

Challenge

Try to describe the location of three objects in your room using 'à volta de...' or 'à volta'.

Word Origin

The phrase 'à volta' derives from the Latin word 'vultus,' which originally meant 'face' or 'countenance.' Over time, its meaning evolved to include 'turn' or 'revolution.' The preposition 'a' combined with 'volta' (turn) creates the sense of movement around something or being in a circuitous path.

Original meaning: The core idea comes from 'volta' meaning 'turn.' So, 'à volta' implies a turn or a circuit, leading to the concept of going around or being in the vicinity.

Indo-European > Italic > Latin > Romance > Portuguese

Cultural Context

The phrase itself is neutral and does not carry any particular cultural sensitivities. Its usage is entirely dependent on the context.

In English, we have similar phrases like 'around,' 'in the vicinity,' 'nearby,' and 'surrounding.' The Portuguese 'à volta' covers a similar range of meaning, but its specific grammatical structure and common pairings (like 'à volta de') are important to learn.

The phrase 'dar uma volta ao mundo' (to travel around the world) is a common aspiration and theme in literature and travel narratives. In some traditional songs or poems, descriptions of nature might involve elements being 'à volta' of a central feature, like flowers 'à volta' of a fountain. Discussions about city planning or urban development often use 'à volta' to describe how new structures or areas surround or are located near existing ones.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Asking for directions.

Onde fica...?
Fica à volta da praça.
É logo ali, à volta da esquina.

Describing the location of places or objects.

A loja está à volta do centro comercial.
O parque fica à volta da cidade.
O meu telemóvel está à volta da cama.

Talking about movement or activities.

Vamos andar à volta do lago.
Os cães gostam de correr à volta do campo.
Dar uma volta pela cidade.

Describing gatherings or groups of people.

Havia muita gente à volta do palco.
As crianças brincavam à volta da mesa.

General descriptions of areas.

Ele mora à volta do centro.
Há bons restaurantes à volta.

Conversation Starters

"Where is the nearest good restaurant? Is it around here?"

"I'm looking for the train station. Can you tell me if it's around the main square?"

"Let's take a walk around the park later. Would you like to join?"

"I heard there's a new shop around the corner. Have you seen it?"

"What's happening around town this weekend?"

Journal Prompts

Describe your neighborhood. What are some interesting places located around your home?

Think about a place you visited. Describe your experience walking around that place.

Imagine you are giving directions to a friend who is visiting your city. Use the phrase 'à volta' to describe a landmark.

What are your favorite activities to do outdoors? Do any of them involve going around a specific area?

Write a short story about someone who gets lost and has to find their way by looking for landmarks around them.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

While often used interchangeably in informal speech, 'à volta' is generally preferred when indicating movement or a path taken around something, such as 'andar à volta do parque' (to walk around the park). 'Em volta' can sometimes suggest a more static state of being surrounded. For learners, focusing on 'à volta' for general vicinity and movement is a good starting point.

Yes, if you are specifying what something is around or near. The structure is typically 'à volta de + noun.' For example, 'à volta da casa' (around the house). If you are just indicating a general area without a specific reference point, you might say 'Está ali à volta' (It's over there, around).

'Dar uma volta' is a common idiom with several meanings. It can mean 'to take a walk,' 'to go for a stroll,' or 'to go around something.' For example, 'Vamos dar uma volta no parque' means 'Let's take a walk in the park.'

While 'cerca de' is the standard for numerical approximation, 'à volta' can sometimes be used metaphorically for time, meaning 'around' that time. For example, 'Ele chegou à volta das oito' (He arrived around eight o'clock). However, 'cerca de' is more common and recommended for temporal approximation, especially at beginner levels.

Yes, it can. For example, 'A cerca está à volta de todo o terreno' (The fence is around the entire property). In such cases, 'ao redor' or 'em redor de' might also be used and can sometimes emphasize the completeness of the surrounding.

The most common contractions involve the preposition 'de' and the definite articles: 'à volta do' (de + o), 'à volta da' (de + a), 'à volta dos' (de + os), and 'à volta das' (de + as). For example, 'à volta do rio' and 'à volta das ruas'.

Yes, 'à volta' is used in both European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese, although regional variations and preferences for synonyms might exist. It's a widely understood and commonly used phrase in both variants.

The phrase is 'à volta do mundo' or 'dar a volta ao mundo' (to travel around the world). For example, 'Ele viajou à volta do mundo.' (He traveled around the world.)

'À volta' indicates a general area or vicinity, suggesting being in the general neighborhood or moving in a circle. 'Perto de' means 'near' and implies a closer, more specific proximity. If you say 'A loja fica à volta da praça,' it's in the general area of the square. If you say 'A loja fica perto da praça,' it's closer to the square.

Yes, metaphorically. For example, 'A conversa girou à volta de um tema específico' (The conversation revolved around a specific topic). Or 'A sua influência estendia-se à volta de todos os seus colaboradores' (His influence extended around all his collaborators).