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indiretamente

A2 adverb #4,300 most common 9 min read

indiretamente

Top 4,300

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips indiretamente in 30 Seconds

Explanation indiretamente in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to describe actions. While 'indiretamente' is a long word, you can understand it as the opposite of 'diretamente' (directly). Think of it as 'not in a straight line'. You might hear it in simple contexts like 'O sol entra indiretamente no quarto' (The sun enters the room indirectly). At this stage, focus on recognizing the '-mente' suffix as the marker for an adverb, similar to '-ly' in English. You don't need to use it in every sentence, but knowing that 'in-' means 'not' helps you decode the meaning. Practice saying it slowly: in-di-re-ta-men-te. It is a great word to show you are moving beyond the most basic vocabulary. You can use it to talk about how you learned a word (e.g., 'Aprendi indiretamente') or how you know someone (e.g., 'Conheço ele indiretamente'). It's a useful building block for describing the world around you.

At the A2 level, you should begin to use 'indiretamente' to add detail to your sentences. You are likely learning about the difference between direct and indirect objects in grammar, and this word fits perfectly into that conceptual framework. You can use it to describe social situations, such as when someone gives a hint instead of asking a direct question. For example: 'Ele pediu dinheiro indiretamente' (He asked for money indirectly). This shows a higher level of fluency because you are describing the manner of the action. You should also be aware of the adjective 'indireto' and how it changes to 'indiretamente'. Common phrases at this level include 'afetar indiretamente' (to affect indirectly) and 'saber indiretamente' (to know indirectly). Using this word helps you sound more natural and less like a textbook, as native speakers use it frequently to avoid being too blunt.

By B1, 'indiretamente' should be a standard part of your vocabulary. You can use it to discuss more complex topics like the economy, politics, or personal relationships. At this level, you understand the nuance of 'indiretas' in Lusophone culture—those subtle hints or jabs people use in conversation. You might say, 'Ela estava falando de mim indiretamente?' (Was she talking about me indirectly?). You are also capable of using it in professional settings, such as 'O atraso na entrega afetou indiretamente a nossa produção' (The delay in delivery indirectly affected our production). You should be comfortable placing the adverb in different parts of the sentence for emphasis. You are also starting to see how 'indiretamente' relates to other adverbs like 'obliquamente' or 'implicitamente', even if you still prefer 'indiretamente' for its clarity and versatility. It is an essential tool for expressing cause-and-effect relationships that aren't immediately obvious.

At the B2 level, you use 'indiretamente' with precision and ease. you can distinguish between something happening 'indiretamente' (through an intermediary or secondary cause) and something being 'implícito' (contained within the meaning). You use it in academic or formal writing to describe complex systems. For example, 'A política fiscal influencia indiretamente o consumo das famílias ao alterar a renda disponível' (Fiscal policy indirectly influences household consumption by altering disposable income). You also recognize the cultural weight of the word in social media contexts, such as 'mandar indiretas'. You can use the word to describe literary techniques or historical influences. Your pronunciation is fluid, and you correctly place the primary stress on the '-men-' syllable. You might also start using the informal Brazilian equivalent 'por tabela' in appropriate casual settings, showing a deep understanding of register and social context.

At the C1 level, 'indiretamente' is a word you use to navigate the subtleties of the Portuguese language. You are aware of its legal and philosophical implications—how 'responsabilidade indireta' (indirect responsibility) differs from 'responsabilidade direta'. You use it to critique texts, analyze political speeches, and engage in high-level debates. You might use it to describe the 'discurso indireto' (reported speech) in a linguistic context or the 'efeitos indiretos' of a scientific experiment. You are also sensitive to the tone it conveys; using 'indiretamente' can be a way to remain objective and professional. You can effortlessly switch between 'indiretamente', 'obliquamente', and 'mediatamente' depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from that of a native speaker, and you understand the complex web of social etiquette that dictates when one should act 'diretamente' versus 'indiretamente' in various Lusophone cultures.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'indiretamente'. You use it to express the most delicate nuances in academic papers, legal arguments, or literary critiques. You understand its role in the history of the Portuguese language and how its usage has evolved. You can discuss the 'causalidade indireta' in complex legal cases or the 'influência indireta' of obscure 19th-century poets on modern literature. You are also a master of the social 'indireta', knowing exactly how to use the adverb to describe the complex social dances of power and influence in Lusophone societies. You might even play with the word in creative writing, using its rhythmic properties to enhance your prose. For you, 'indiretamente' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a precise tool for dissecting the world and communicating with the highest level of sophistication and cultural awareness.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

indiretamente in 30 Seconds

Indiretamente means 'indirectly' and describes actions or effects that are not straightforward or immediate.
It is formed by adding the suffix '-mente' to the feminine adjective 'indireta'.
It is commonly used in social, economic, and academic contexts to show mediated results.
The word is invariable, meaning it never changes its form regardless of gender or number.

The word indiretamente is a versatile Portuguese adverb that translates directly to 'indirectly' in English. It is formed by the prefix in- (meaning 'not'), the adjective direta (direct), and the adverbial suffix -mente (equivalent to '-ly'). In Portuguese communication, using indiretamente often implies a level of subtlety, nuance, or a lack of straightforwardness that can be either accidental or intentional.

Social Nuance: In Portuguese-speaking cultures, particularly in Brazil and Portugal, direct confrontation is often avoided to maintain social harmony (simpatia). Therefore, expressing things indiretamente is a common social strategy. It allows the speaker to hint at a problem without causing immediate offense.

Ela sugeriu indiretamente que o projeto precisava de mudanças, sem criticar ninguém especificamente.

Beyond social interaction, the word is frequently used in technical, academic, and legal contexts. When discussing cause and effect, an event might not cause a result directly, but rather through a chain of other events. For example, a change in global oil prices might indiretamente affect the cost of groceries because of transportation logistics. This distinction between direct and indirect impact is crucial in Portuguese business and scientific discourse.

Grammatical Placement: Typically, indiretamente follows the verb it modifies. However, for emphasis, it can be placed at the beginning or end of a sentence. Unlike English, where 'indirectly' might sound slightly formal, indiretamente is used across all registers, from casual conversations to high-level legal documents.

Muitas vezes, aprendemos indiretamente através da observação dos outros.

In a world of digital communication, indiretamente takes on new meanings. Posting something on social media intended for a specific person to see without tagging them is a way of communicating indiretamente. This cultural phenomenon is so prevalent in Brazil that the word 'indireta' has become a staple of social media vocabulary. Understanding the adverbial form is the first step toward mastering this nuanced aspect of Portuguese communication.

O governo influenciou indiretamente o mercado com as novas taxas.

Logical Connection: Use this word when there is an intermediary (um intermediário) involved in the process. If person A tells person B, and person B tells person C, person A has communicated with person C indiretamente.

Recebi a notícia indiretamente por meio de um colega.

O sol aquece a sala indiretamente através do reflexo no vidro.

Using indiretamente correctly involves understanding its position relative to verbs and its function in complex sentences. As an adverb of manner, it describes how an action is performed or how a result is achieved. Because it is a long word (six syllables!), its placement can affect the rhythm of your speech. In Portuguese, it is very common to place it after the main verb or at the very end of the clause.

The 'By Extension' Usage: Often, indiretamente is used to describe consequences that were not the primary goal but happened anyway. In English, we might say 'as a byproduct'. In Portuguese, 'afetar indiretamente' is a standard way to express this.

A nova lei afetou indiretamente os pequenos agricultores da região.

Another frequent pattern involves communication verbs like falar (to speak), dizer (to say), or mencionar (to mention). When you don't name someone or something directly, but your audience knows what you are talking about, you are speaking indiretamente. This is a key part of polite or strategic conversation.

Comparison with 'Por Tabela': In informal Brazilian Portuguese, you might hear the phrase 'por tabela'. While indiretamente is the standard adverb, 'por tabela' is an idiomatic way to say the same thing, literally meaning 'by hitting the side of the table' (like in billiards).

Ele acabou sendo beneficiado indiretamente pela promoção do irmão.

In academic writing, indiretamente is indispensable. It is used to describe variables that correlate without a direct causal link. For example, 'O nível de educação influencia indiretamente a saúde da população'. This level of precision is expected in Portuguese essays and professional reports.

O autor refere-se indiretamente aos eventos históricos do século passado.

Common Verb Pairings: Verbs like contribuir (to contribute), ajudar (to help), and prejudicar (to harm) are frequently paired with indiretamente to show that the effect is one step removed from the cause.

O exercício físico ajuda indiretamente a melhorar a qualidade do sono.

Você está tentando me dizer algo indiretamente?

If you are watching a Brazilian telenovela or a Portuguese drama, you will hear indiretamente during scenes of gossip or corporate intrigue. Characters often use it to explain how they found out a secret or to describe a subtle threat. It is a word that thrives in environments where information is currency and not everyone is being completely honest.

In the news, journalists use it constantly. When reporting on politics, they might say a politician criticized a rival indiretamente by attacking a specific policy without naming the person. This is a standard part of political analysis in the Lusophone world. You will also hear it in financial news, especially when discussing how global trends (like the dollar exchange rate) affect local prices indiretamente.

In a work environment, your boss might use it during a performance review. Instead of saying 'you are late', they might say 'the team's productivity is indiretamente affected by the morning schedule'. This is a very common way to use the word to soften the blow of a critique, fitting into the cultural preference for avoiding direct negative feedback.

In educational settings, teachers use it to describe learning processes. 'Aprendemos indiretamente ao ler bons livros' (We learn indirectly by reading good books). This refers to the acquisition of vocabulary or grammar that happens naturally, without a specific lesson plan. It is also used in science classes to describe things like 'luz solar indireta' (indirect sunlight) or 'evidência indireta' (indirect evidence).

Finally, in daily social life, particularly among younger generations in Brazil, the concept of 'mandar uma indireta' (to send an indirect hint/jab) is huge. While the adverb indiretamente is the formal way to describe this action, the concept is the same: communicating something to someone without saying it to their face. If you hear someone say 'Ela falou indiretamente sobre o ex-namorado', they are describing a very common social behavior.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is trying to pluralize the word or change its ending to match a feminine noun. Remember: indiretamente is an adverb, and in Portuguese, adverbs are invariable. It doesn't matter if you are talking about 'as mulheres' or 'os homens', the word is always indiretamente. Do not say 'indiretamentes' or 'indiretamenta'.

Another mistake is confusing the adverb with the adjective indireto/indireta. Use the adjective when modifying a noun (e.g., 'um caminho indireto', 'uma luz indireta'). Use the adverb when modifying a verb, an adjective, or another adverb (e.g., 'ele chegou indiretamente'). A common error is saying 'Ele falou de forma indiretamente', when it should be 'Ele falou de forma indireta' (using the adjective with the noun 'forma') or simply 'Ele falou indiretamente'.

Pronunciation can also be a pitfall. Because it is a long word, students often stress the wrong syllable. The stress must always be on the penultimate syllable of the suffix: -MEN-. If you stress the 're' or the 'ta', it will sound unnatural and might be hard for native speakers to understand immediately.

Finally, be careful with the context. While 'indirectly' is almost always a safe translation, sometimes Portuguese uses indiretamente where English might prefer 'implicitly' or 'by association'. Don't over-rely on it if there is a more specific word available, but at the A2/B1 level, indiretamente is a great 'utility' word that will serve you well in many situations.

If you want to expand your vocabulary beyond indiretamente, there are several synonyms and related terms that can add flavor to your Portuguese. Depending on the context—whether it's formal, informal, or technical—you might choose one of the following.

Obliquamente: This is a more formal and literary synonym. It literally means 'obliquely'. It is often used in literature or high-level journalism to describe a way of looking or speaking that isn't straight.
Example: O autor aborda o tema obliquamente em sua obra.

Implicitamente: While indiretamente refers to the path taken, implicitamente refers to the meaning contained within. If something is said indirectly, it is often implied (implícito).
Example: A regra está contida implicitamente no contrato.

Por tabela: This is the go-to informal expression in Brazil. It's perfect for when someone is affected by something that was meant for someone else, or when information reaches you through a third party.
Example: Eu fiquei sabendo da festa por tabela.

De viés: Meaning 'sideways' or 'at an angle'. It's often used for physical movements or ways of looking at things. 'Olhar de viés' means to look at someone from the corner of your eye, often with suspicion or judgment.

Choosing the right alternative depends on your goal. Use indiretamente for general situations, obliquamente to sound sophisticated, and por tabela when chatting with friends at a bar in Rio or Lisbon.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The suffix '-mente' was originally a separate word in Latin. In early Romance languages, you would say 'com mente indireta' (with an indirect mind), which eventually fused into one word: 'indiretamente'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ĩ.di.ɾɛ.tɐ.ˈmẽ.tɨ/

US /ĩ.dʒi.ɾɛ.tɐ.ˈmẽ.tʃi/

The primary stress is on the penultimate syllable: in-di-re-ta-MEN-te.

Rhymes With

diretamente claramente infelizmente rapidamente finalmente constantemente livremente realmente

Common Errors

Stressing the 're' syllable (in-di-RE-ta-mente).
Pronouncing the final 'e' too clearly in European Portuguese.
Forgetting the nasal 'in' at the beginning.
Treating it as two words (indireta mente).
Missing the 't' sound in the middle.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize because of the similarity to 'indirectly'.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the correct spelling and suffix.

Speaking 4/5

The six syllables can be a tongue-twister for beginners.

Listening 3/5

Commonly used, but can be spoken quickly in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

direto direta mente falar afetar

Learn Next

obliquamente implicitamente consequência intermediário indireta (noun)

Advanced

hermenêutica causalidade tangencialmente veladamente

Grammar to Know

Adverb Formation with -mente

Indireta (adj. fem.) + mente = Indiretamente

Adverb Invariability

Eles falaram indiretamente (not indiretamentes)

Placement of Adverbs of Manner

Ela agiu indiretamente (usually after the verb)

Prefix 'in-' for Negation

Diretamente vs Indiretamente

Reported Speech (Discurso Indireto)

Ele disse que estava cansado (indirect way of reporting)

Examples by Level

Eu vi o sol indiretamente.

I saw the sun indirectly.

Simple adverbial usage after the verb 'vi'.

Ele falou indiretamente com ela.

He spoke indirectly with her.

Shows the path of communication.

O caminho é longo e vai indiretamente.

The path is long and goes indirectly.

Describing the manner of movement.

Aprendi a palavra indiretamente.

I learned the word indirectly.

Focus on the process of learning.

A luz chega indiretamente aqui.

The light arrives indirectly here.

Standard subject-verb-adverb order.

Eles ajudam indiretamente o grupo.

They help the group indirectly.

Verb 'ajudar' + adverb.

O carro parou indiretamente na rua.

The car stopped indirectly on the street.

Manner of stopping.

Conheço o professor indiretamente.

I know the teacher indirectly.

Common usage for knowing people through others.

Ela sugeriu indiretamente que eu fosse embora.

She suggested indirectly that I should leave.

Using 'sugerir' to show social nuance.

O preço subiu indiretamente por causa do transporte.

The price went up indirectly because of transport.

Connecting cause and effect.

Eles se comunicam indiretamente por e-mail.

They communicate indirectly by email.

Reflexive verb 'se comunicar' + adverb.

A chuva afetou indiretamente a festa.

The rain indirectly affected the party.

Verb 'afetar' is a common collocation.

Eu soube da notícia indiretamente.

I heard the news indirectly.

Using 'saber' in the past tense.

O filme fala indiretamente sobre a guerra.

The movie speaks indirectly about the war.

Discussing themes in media.

Você está me criticando indiretamente?

Are you criticizing me indirectly?

Question form with present continuous.

O calor entra indiretamente pelas janelas.

The heat enters indirectly through the windows.

Physical description of energy transfer.

A crise econômica atingiu indiretamente o setor de serviços.

The economic crisis indirectly hit the service sector.

Formal verb 'atingir'.

Muitas vezes, os pais influenciam indiretamente as escolhas dos filhos.

Often, parents indirectly influence their children's choices.

Adverbial frequency 'muitas vezes' + verb + adverb.

Ele mencionou indiretamente o problema durante a reunião.

He indirectly mentioned the problem during the meeting.

Using 'mencionar' for subtle communication.

A nova tecnologia beneficia indiretamente o meio ambiente.

The new technology indirectly benefits the environment.

Positive impact description.

Não quero te ofender indiretamente, mas o trabalho precisa de revisão.

I don't want to offend you indirectly, but the work needs revision.

Complex sentence with 'mas' for contrast.

A notícia foi transmitida indiretamente pelos vizinhos.

The news was transmitted indirectly by the neighbors.

Passive voice 'foi transmitida'.

O autor utiliza símbolos para falar indiretamente da liberdade.

The author uses symbols to speak indirectly about freedom.

Discussing literature and symbolism.

A falta de sono prejudica indiretamente o desempenho escolar.

Lack of sleep indirectly harms school performance.

Verb 'prejudicar' + adverb.

A decisão do tribunal afetou indiretamente milhares de contratos vigentes.

The court's decision indirectly affected thousands of existing contracts.

Legal and professional context.

O marketing digital atua indiretamente no subconsciente do consumidor.

Digital marketing acts indirectly on the consumer's subconscious.

Psychological and technical context.

Ela mandou uma indireta ao postar aquela frase, falando indiretamente dele.

She sent a hint by posting that phrase, speaking indirectly about him.

Combining the noun 'indireta' and the adverb 'indiretamente'.

O investimento em infraestrutura gera empregos indiretamente em vários setores.

Investment in infrastructure indirectly generates jobs in various sectors.

Economic cause and effect.

A poluição sonora contribui indiretamente para o aumento do estresse urbano.

Noise pollution indirectly contributes to the increase in urban stress.

Verb 'contribuir' + preposition 'para'.

O historiador refere-se indiretamente aos arquivos secretos da época.

The historian refers indirectly to the secret archives of the time.

Formal reflexive verb 'referir-se'.

Ao mudar o tom de voz, ele confirmou indiretamente a sua culpa.

By changing his tone of voice, he indirectly confirmed his guilt.

Gerund 'ao mudar' for simultaneous action.

A educação de base melhora indiretamente a segurança pública a longo prazo.

Basic education indirectly improves public safety in the long run.

Complex social correlation.

A obra de Saramago dialoga indiretamente com a tradição literária portuguesa.

Saramago's work dialogues indirectly with the Portuguese literary tradition.

High-level literary analysis.

O escândalo político repercutiu indiretamente nas relações diplomáticas do país.

The political scandal indirectly resonated in the country's diplomatic relations.

Verb 'repercutir' + preposition 'em'.

As alterações climáticas estão, indiretamente, redesenhando as rotas migratórias.

Climate change is, indirectly, redesigning migratory routes.

Using commas for adverbial parenthetical emphasis.

O réu tentou, indiretamente, coagir as testemunhas através de terceiros.

The defendant tried, indirectly, to coerce the witnesses through third parties.

Complex legal scenario.

A filosofia existencialista influenciou indiretamente a estética do cinema noir.

Existentialist philosophy indirectly influenced the aesthetics of noir cinema.

Interdisciplinary academic connection.

A inflação acaba por tributar indiretamente as camadas mais pobres da população.

Inflation ends up indirectly taxing the poorest layers of the population.

Idiomatic 'acaba por' + infinitive.

Suas palavras, embora gentis, aludiam indiretamente ao fracasso da expedição.

His words, though kind, alluded indirectly to the failure of the expedition.

Using 'aludir' (to allude).

O sistema imunológico é indiretamente fortalecido por uma microbiota saudável.

The immune system is indirectly strengthened by a healthy microbiota.

Scientific passive voice.

A hermenêutica jurídica permite interpretar indiretamente a vontade do legislador.

Legal hermeneutics allows for the indirect interpretation of the legislator's will.

Highly specialized legal terminology.

O substrato cultural de uma nação manifesta-se indiretamente em seus rituais cotidianos.

A nation's cultural substrate manifests itself indirectly in its daily rituals.

Sociological and philosophical depth.

A entropia de um sistema pode ser medida indiretamente através de variáveis macroscópicas.

The entropy of a system can be measured indirectly through macroscopic variables.

Advanced scientific discourse.

A narrativa fragmentada do autor instiga o leitor a reconstruir indiretamente a cronologia.

The author's fragmented narrative urges the reader to indirectly reconstruct the chronology.

Literary theory and reader-response criticism.

As flutuações quânticas podem, indiretamente, dar origem a estruturas galácticas.

Quantum fluctuations can, indirectly, give rise to galactic structures.

Astrophysical context.

A diplomacia de bastidores opera indiretamente para evitar conflitos abertos.

Backdoor diplomacy operates indirectly to avoid open conflicts.

Political science and international relations.

A arquitetura de uma cidade molda indiretamente o comportamento social de seus habitantes.

A city's architecture indirectly shapes the social behavior of its inhabitants.

Urban planning and sociology.

A subjetividade do observador interfere indiretamente na percepção da realidade objetiva.

The observer's subjectivity indirectly interferes with the perception of objective reality.

Epistemological and philosophical context.

Common Collocations

afetar indiretamente

influenciar indiretamente

saber indiretamente

contribuir indiretamente

referir-se indiretamente

ajudar indiretamente

prejudicar indiretamente

relacionado indiretamente

luz solar indireta

beneficiar indiretamente

Common Phrases

Mandar uma indireta

— To make a subtle, often negative, hint intended for someone without naming them. It's a very common social behavior in Brazil.

Ela mandou uma indireta para a colega no Instagram.

Falar indiretamente

— To speak without being blunt or direct. It can be used for politeness or to hide one's true intentions.

Ele falou indiretamente que não gostou do jantar.

Por via indireta

— Through an indirect route or method. Often used in formal or administrative contexts.

A verba chegou por via indireta ao município.

De forma indireta

— An alternative to the adverb 'indiretamente', using the noun 'forma' and the adjective 'indireta'.

Eles resolveram o conflito de forma indireta.

Caminho indireto

— A route that is not the shortest or straightest. Can be literal or metaphorical.

Pegamos um caminho indireto para evitar o trânsito.

Impacto indireto

— A secondary or tertiary effect of an action or event.

O impacto indireto da obra foi o aumento do turismo.

Voto indireto

— An election where voters choose representatives who then choose the final candidate.

O presidente foi eleito por voto indireto.

Discurso indireto

— Reported speech, where the speaker's words are integrated into the narrator's sentence.

O professor explicou como usar o discurso indireto.

Prova indireta

— Circumstantial evidence in a legal context.

O juiz aceitou a prova indireta apresentada pelo promotor.

Luz indireta

— Lighting that is reflected off a surface rather than shining directly on an object.

Prefiro luz indireta na sala para criar um ambiente calmo.

Often Confused With

indiretamente vs indireta

This is a noun meaning 'a hint' or 'a jab'. Don't use it as an adverb.

indiretamente vs diretamente

The exact opposite. Make sure you don't forget the 'in-' prefix!

indiretamente vs implicitamente

Similar, but means 'implied' rather than 'by an indirect path'.

Idioms & Expressions

"Pegar por tabela"

— To be affected by something aimed at someone else, or to achieve something as a side effect. Very common in Brazil.

A bronca era para o João, mas eu peguei por tabela.

informal

"Comer pelas beiradas"

— To approach a goal or a person slowly and indirectly, like eating porridge from the edges where it's cooler.

Ele não pediu o emprego logo, foi comendo pelas beiradas.

informal

"Dar voltas"

— To beat around the bush; to speak indirectly to avoid a difficult topic.

Pare de dar voltas e diga o que você quer!

neutral

"Lançar o barro à parede"

— To throw a hint or a suggestion indirectly to see if it 'sticks' or gets a reaction (Portuguese idiom).

Lancei o barro à parede para ver se ele me convidava.

informal

"Entre linhas"

— To read between the lines; to understand the indirect or hidden meaning.

É preciso ler o contrato entre linhas.

neutral

"Falar para o boneco"

— When someone is ignored while speaking, making their communication feel indirect or useless (Portugal).

Estou a falar para o boneco? Ninguém me ouve!

informal

"Jogar verde para colher maduro"

— To say something indirectly to trick someone into revealing the truth.

Joguei verde para colher maduro e ela confessou tudo.

informal

"Pisar em ovos"

— To speak or act very carefully and indirectly to avoid offending someone.

Tive que pisar em ovos para falar com o chefe.

informal

"Fazer ouvidos de mercador"

— To pretend not to hear an indirect hint or a direct request.

Fiz ouvidos de mercador quando ele pediu dinheiro.

neutral

"Soltar uma pérola"

— To say something indirectly revealing or surprisingly stupid/clever.

Ele soltou uma pérola sobre a situação política.

informal

Easily Confused

indiretamente vs indireto

Adjective vs Adverb

'Indireto' describes a noun, while 'indiretamente' describes a verb or action.

O caminho é indireto. Ele caminha indiretamente.

indiretamente vs imediatamente

Similar suffix

'Imediatamente' means right away/without delay, while 'indiretamente' means not directly.

Venha imediatamente! Ele falou indiretamente.

indiretamente vs inteiramente

Starts with 'in-' and ends in '-mente'

'Inteiramente' means entirely or completely.

Estou inteiramente de acordo.

indiretamente vs indiscretamente

Phonetically similar

'Indiscretamente' means without discretion or rudely.

Ele olhou indiscretamente para a bolsa dela.

indiretamente vs indiferentemente

Phonetically similar

'Indiferentemente' means without caring or with indifference.

Ele me tratou indiferentemente.

Sentence Patterns

Eu [verbo] indiretamente.

Eu vi indiretamente.

[Sujeito] [verbo] indiretamente que [cláusula].

Ele sugeriu indiretamente que estava cansado.

[Evento] afetou indiretamente o [objeto].

A chuva afetou indiretamente o trânsito.

Ao [infinitivo], [sujeito] [verbo] indiretamente.

Ao sorrir, ela confirmou indiretamente a notícia.

Embora [condição], [sujeito] refere-se indiretamente a [objeto].

Embora calado, ele refere-se indiretamente ao passado.

A [substantivo] manifesta-se indiretamente através de [meio].

A crise manifesta-se indiretamente através do consumo.

Eu soube [objeto] indiretamente.

Eu soube da festa indiretamente.

Isso contribui indiretamente para [resultado].

Isso contribui indiretamente para o sucesso.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in both spoken and written Portuguese.

Common Mistakes

indiretamentes → indiretamente
Adverbs are invariable and do not have a plural form.
falar de forma indiretamente → falar de forma indireta
After 'forma' (a noun), you must use the adjective 'indireta', not the adverb.
indireto mente → indiretamente
It must be written as a single word without spaces.
indiretamenta → indiretamente
Adverbs ending in '-mente' always end in 'e', regardless of the gender of the subject.
diretamente (when meaning indirectly) → indiretamente
Don't forget the 'in-' prefix which negates the word. Mixing these up changes the meaning completely.

Tips

Adverb Formation

To make any adverb like this, take the feminine adjective (indireta) and add -mente. It works for most Portuguese adjectives!

The Brazilian 'Indireta'

Watch out on social media. If someone posts a quote about 'fake friends', they are 'mandando uma indireta'. It's a huge part of the culture.

The Nasal 'In'

Make sure the 'in' at the beginning is nasal. Don't pronounce the 'n' fully against your teeth; it should sound like a nasalized vowel.

Formal vs Informal

Use 'indiretamente' in your writing and 'por tabela' when hanging out with Brazilian friends to sound more native.

Softening Blows

If you need to give criticism in Portuguese, use 'indiretamente' to make it sound less aggressive.

Focus on the Suffix

If you hear a long word ending in '-mente', it's almost certainly an adverb. This helps you narrow down the meaning.

Don't Rush

Because it's a long word, take your time. Native speakers will appreciate the clarity more than the speed.

Chain of Events

Use this word whenever there is more than one step between a cause and an effect.

No Plurals

Never add an 's' to the end of 'indiretamente'. It stays the same for 'eu', 'nós', and 'eles'.

Utility Word

It's a great 'filler' word when you want to describe a complex connection but can't find the exact technical term.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'IN' (not) + 'DIRETA' (direct) + 'MENTE' (mindly). If you are NOT DIRECT in your MIND, you are speaking INDIRETA-MENTE.

Visual Association

Imagine a billiard ball hitting a wall before going into the pocket. That is a 'por tabela' or 'indiretamente' path.

Word Web

indireta direto caminho sugestão consequência implícito meio reflexo

Challenge

Try to describe a secret you heard through a friend without using the person's name, using 'indiretamente' at least twice.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'indirectus', composed of 'in-' (not) and 'directus' (straight, direct). The suffix '-mente' comes from the Latin 'mens, mentis' (mind/manner).

Original meaning: Not in a straight line; deviating from a direct course.

Romance (Latin root)

Cultural Context

Be careful when translating 'indireta' as 'hint'. In some contexts, an 'indireta' is more of a passive-aggressive swipe than a helpful hint.

English speakers from cultures like the US or Australia might find Portuguese 'indiretas' frustrating or confusing at first, as these cultures often value directness ('get to the point').

Many songs in MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) use 'indiretas' to criticize the government during the dictatorship. Machado de Assis, a famous Brazilian author, is known for his 'narrador não confiável' who often speaks indiretamente to the reader. The phrase 'mandar uma indireta' is a common meme format in Brazil.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Economy

Custo indireto
Imposto indireto
Impacto indireto no mercado
Beneficiar indiretamente os sócios

Social/Gossip

Mandar uma indireta
Falar indiretamente de alguém
Saber por tabela
Sugestão indireta

Science

Luz solar indireta
Evidência indireta
Aquecimento indireto
Observar indiretamente

Law

Responsabilidade indireta
Prova indireta
Dano indireto
Interpretação indireta

Education

Aprendizado indireto
Influenciar indiretamente os alunos
Método indireto
Conhecimento indireto

Conversation Starters

"Você já recebeu uma notícia importante indiretamente?"

"Você acha que as redes sociais incentivam as pessoas a falarem indiretamente?"

"Como a economia global afeta indiretamente o seu dia a dia?"

"Você prefere que as pessoas sejam diretas ou falem indiretamente com você?"

"Você já mandou uma indireta para alguém e se arrependeu?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva uma situação em que você teve que falar indiretamente para não ofender alguém.

Como o seu aprendizado de português está afetando indiretamente outras áreas da sua vida?

Pense em um problema global e explique como ele te atinge indiretamente.

Escreva sobre a diferença entre ser direto e falar indiretamente na sua cultura.

Relate uma vez que você descobriu um segredo indiretamente.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. Adverbs ending in '-mente' are invariable. They do not change for gender or number. You always use 'indiretamente'.

Yes, for emphasis. For example: 'Indiretamente, ele me disse que não vinha.' It sounds more formal this way.

Yes, but 'por tabela' is more informal and common in Brazil. It's often used when talking about consequences or gossip.

An 'indireta' (noun) is a hint or a passive-aggressive comment. 'Mandar uma indireta' is to say something aimed at someone without naming them.

In Brazil, it's 'MEN-tchi'. In Portugal, it's 'MEN-te' (with a very short 'e'). The stress is always on the 'MEN'.

Both are common, but 'indiretamente' is used a lot in social situations to avoid being blunt.

Yes, like 'O GPS nos levou indiretamente ao destino' (The GPS took us indirectly to the destination).

Not really. You can say 'de viés' or 'por tabela', but 'indiretamente' is the standard single-word adverb.

Not necessarily. It depends on the context. In science or economy, it's neutral. In social situations, it can be seen as slightly evasive.

Remember: in-di-re-ta-men-te. It's all one word, no hyphens, and uses 'i' then 'e'.