sobrar in 30 Seconds
- Sobrar means 'to be left over' or 'to remain' after use.
- It is used for food, money, time, and physical space.
- The phrase 'sobrar para alguém' means a task or bill fell on them.
- It is a regular -ar verb, but the subject often follows the verb.
The Portuguese verb sobrar is a fundamental word that every learner should master early on because it captures a concept central to daily life: the idea of having something left over, remaining, or being in excess. In its most literal sense, it refers to physical items like food or money that are not consumed or spent. However, its utility extends far beyond the kitchen or the bank. It is frequently used to describe remaining time, extra space, or even metaphorical situations where someone is 'left' with a responsibility or a consequence.
- Primary Meaning
- To remain after a part has been used or taken; to be more than what is needed.
Sempre sobra comida quando minha avó cozinha.
In Brazilian and European Portuguese, you will hear this word constantly in domestic settings. If you go to a restaurant and can't finish your meal, you might ask if what 'sobrou' can be packed to go. In a professional context, if a project is finished ahead of schedule, you might say that 'sobrou tempo' (there was time left over). It is a versatile verb that functions largely as an intransitive verb, meaning it doesn't always require a direct object, though it often appears with a subject that follows the verb in common speech.
- Social Context
- Used to describe being 'the odd one out' or feeling like you are in the way (estar a sobrar).
Se vocês querem conversar sozinhos, eu estou sobrando aqui.
The word carries a neutral to positive connotation when referring to abundance (like 'sobrar saúde' - to have health in abundance), but can turn negative when it implies being unwanted. Understanding these nuances helps a learner transition from simple survival Portuguese to nuanced social interaction. Whether you are calculating change at a supermarket or navigating a group conversation, 'sobrar' is your go-to verb for describing the 'extra' bits of life.
Using sobrar correctly requires understanding its unique syntax. Unlike English, where we often say 'I have five dollars left,' in Portuguese, the money becomes the subject: 'Sobraram cinco dólares.' This inversion is very common and can be a bit confusing for English speakers initially.
- The Inverted Subject
- In Portuguese, the verb often comes before the noun that represents what is left over. This emphasizes the 'remaining' aspect.
Ainda sobram algumas dúvidas sobre o contrato.
Another crucial structure is sobrar para alguém. This is an idiomatic construction meaning that a task, a bill, or a punishment has fallen onto someone because no one else took care of it or because they were the last ones left. It is very common in informal speech.
Todo mundo saiu e a limpeza sobrou para mim.
When talking about abundance, you can use 'sobrar' followed by the preposition 'em'. For example, 'Ele sobra em talento' (He has talent to spare). This elevates the word from a simple description of leftovers to a more poetic or emphatic description of quality. In daily conversation, however, stick to the basic 'Sobrou algo?' (Is anything left?) to ask about food or resources.
You will encounter sobrar in a variety of environments, from the most casual to the relatively formal. Its frequency in the Portuguese language is high because it covers a broad range of 'remaining' concepts that English splits between 'to be left,' 'to remain,' and 'to spare.'
- At the Dinner Table
- This is the most common place. 'Vai sobrar muita pizza' (There's going to be a lot of pizza left over).
O que sobrou do almoço está na geladeira.
In financial discussions, 'sobrar' is used to talk about the surplus. If you are discussing a budget with a partner or a financial advisor, you might ask: 'Quanto sobra no final do mês?' (How much is left at the end of the month?). It implies the net amount after all expenses are paid. This is a vital word for anyone living or working in a Portuguese-speaking country.
Depois de pagar o aluguel, não sobra nada.
In social settings, the expression 'estar sobrando' is used when someone feels like a 'third wheel' or unnecessary in a group. If two friends start an intimate conversation, a third friend might say: 'Acho que estou sobrando aqui, vou embora' (I think I'm extra here, I'm leaving). This demonstrates the word's ability to describe human dynamics and presence.
Even though sobrar is a regular verb, English speakers often struggle with its placement in a sentence and its distinction from other similar verbs like restar or ficar.
- Mistake 1: Subject-Verb Agreement
- Because the subject often comes after the verb, students forget to pluralize it. They say 'Sobrou dois pães' instead of the correct 'Sobraram dois pães.'
Errado: Sobrou dez reais. Certo: Sobraram dez reais.
Another common error is using 'sobrar' when 'ficar' (to stay/remain) is more appropriate. While 'sobrar' implies an excess or something left over from a larger whole, 'ficar' is more about location or state. For instance, if you want to say 'I'm staying at home,' you use 'ficar,' not 'sobrar.' However, if you say 'I'm the only one left in the house,' you could use 'sobrar' to emphasize that everyone else left.
Finally, English speakers often try to translate 'I have left' literally. They might say 'Eu tenho sobrado,' which is incorrect. In Portuguese, the thing that is left is the subject of the sentence. Instead of 'I have ten euros left,' say 'Sobraram-me dez euros' or simply 'Sobraram dez euros.'
While sobrar is the most common way to express the idea of remaining, several other verbs and expressions can be used depending on the level of formality and the specific context.
- Restar
- More formal than 'sobrar'. Often used in writing or when talking about abstract concepts like 'resta uma esperança' (one hope remains).
- Sobejar
- Very formal or literary. It specifically emphasizes abundance or overflowing. You likely won't hear this in daily conversation.
Só restam cinzas do que foi um grande prédio.
In informal speech, you might also hear ficar. While 'ficar' usually means 'to stay,' in the context of 'O que ficou do bolo?' (What's left of the cake?), it overlaps with 'sobrar.' However, 'sobrar' specifically highlights that it is the *remainder* of something that was larger.
For English speakers, the closest synonyms are 'to remain,' 'to be left over,' and 'to be in excess.' In business, 'exceder' (to exceed) might be used for quantities that go beyond a limit, but 'sobrar' remains the standard for the actual physical or temporal surplus.
How Formal Is It?
"Remanescem recursos que serão alocados no próximo exercício."
"Sobrou algum dinheiro da viagem."
"Sobrou pra mim limpar essa bagunça toda!"
"Sobrou um pouquinho de bolo para você!"
"O cara sobrou na curva."
Fun Fact
It shares the same root as the English word 'superior'. While 'superior' refers to status or position, 'sobrar' evolved to refer to the physical quantity that 'goes over' the needed amount.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the 'o' like 'ah' (sabr-ar).
- English 'r' sound (rhotic) at the end instead of a tap or breathy sound.
- Stressing the first syllable (SO-brar).
- Forgetting the nasal quality if followed by a nasal vowel in other forms.
- Mispronouncing the 'br' cluster as too distinct.
Difficulty Rating
Easy to recognize in text as it follows regular conjugation.
Requires remembering to place the subject after the verb often.
Agreeing with the post-positioned subject takes practice.
Clear pronunciation, usually distinct in speech.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Subject-Verb Inversion
Sobrou (V) um pedaço (S).
Agreement with Post-positioned Subject
Sobraram (V) dois pedaços (S).
Future Subjunctive
Se sobrar tempo, eu vou.
Personal Infinitive
Para não sobrar nada, comemos tudo.
Use of Preposition 'Para'
Sobrou para ele.
Examples by Level
Sobrou pizza?
Is there pizza left?
Simple past tense, 3rd person singular.
Não sobrou nada.
Nothing was left.
Use of 'nada' as the subject following the verb.
Sobrou um pouco de água.
A little water was left.
'Um pouco' acts as the quantity.
Sempre sobra comida.
There is always food left over.
Present tense, habitual action.
Sobrou dinheiro para o café.
There was money left for coffee.
Preposition 'para' indicates purpose.
Sobrou um lugar no carro.
There was one seat left in the car.
Singular agreement.
Quanto sobrou?
How much was left?
Interrogative pronoun 'quanto'.
Sobrou bolo da festa.
There was cake left from the party.
Noun 'bolo' is the subject.
Sobraram três pães na sacola.
Three rolls were left in the bag.
Plural agreement (sobraram).
Não sobrou tempo para o filme.
There was no time left for the movie.
'Tempo' is treated as a singular mass noun.
Sobrou espaço na mala.
There was space left in the suitcase.
Abstract noun 'espaço'.
Sobraram apenas dez euros.
Only ten euros remained.
Adverb 'apenas' modifying the quantity.
Ainda sobra um pouco de arroz.
There is still a little rice left.
Adverb 'ainda' meaning 'still'.
Sobrou para você lavar a louça.
It was left for you to wash the dishes.
Idiomatic 'sobrar para alguém'.
Se sobrar comida, eu levo.
If there is food left, I'll take it.
Future subjunctive 'sobrar'.
Não sobraram ingressos.
There were no tickets left.
Negative plural construction.
Sempre sobra para mim o trabalho difícil.
The hard work always falls on me.
Idiomatic usage for responsibility.
Sobrou muita energia depois do treino.
A lot of energy was left after the workout.
Abstract use of physical state.
Acho que estou sobrando nesta conversa.
I think I'm the extra one in this conversation.
Gerund 'sobrando' meaning 'feeling out of place'.
Sobraram dúvidas após a explicação.
Doubts remained after the explanation.
Plural subject following the verb.
O que sobrou da nossa amizade?
What is left of our friendship?
Figurative use for relationships.
Sobrou coragem para enfrentar o problema.
There was enough courage left to face the problem.
Positive connotation of abundance.
Se sobrar um tempinho, me ligue.
If you have a little time left, call me.
Diminutive 'tempinho' for informal tone.
Não sobrará pedra sobre pedra.
Not one stone will be left upon another.
Future tense, idiomatic for total destruction.
Sobrou-lhe paciência para lidar com as crianças.
He had plenty of patience to deal with the children.
Pronominal use 'sobrar-lhe' (to him remained).
A verba sobrou e será reinvestida.
The budget was left over and will be reinvested.
Business context.
O talento dele sobra em relação aos outros.
His talent is far beyond the others.
Comparing levels of skill.
Sempre sobra alguém para contar a história.
There is always someone left to tell the story.
Existential use of 'sobrar'.
Sobraram apenas fragmentos do vaso.
Only fragments of the vase remained.
Plural agreement with 'fragmentos'.
Não deixe sobrar nada no prato.
Don't let anything be left on the plate.
Imperative 'deixe' with infinitive 'sobrar'.
Sobrou para o diretor explicar o erro.
It fell to the director to explain the error.
Responsibility falling on a specific role.
A beleza daquela região sobra.
The beauty of that region is abundant.
Intransitive use for abundance.
Sobram evidências de que o clima está mudando.
There is abundant evidence that the climate is changing.
Formal usage for 'abundant existence'.
A ironia sobrava em cada palavra dele.
Irony overflowed in his every word.
Imperfect tense for description.
Se sobrar tempo, debateremos os anexos.
Should time permit, we will debate the appendices.
Future subjunctive in a formal conditional.
O que sobrar da colheita será doado.
Whatever remains of the harvest will be donated.
Relative clause 'O que sobrar'.
Sobraram-nos poucas alternativas viáveis.
Few viable alternatives remained for us.
Pronominal 'nos' (to us).
A dignidade sobrou, apesar da derrota.
Dignity remained, despite the defeat.
Abstract noun as subject.
Sobram motivos para comemorar hoje.
There are plenty of reasons to celebrate today.
Inverted subject 'motivos'.
Não sobrava um centavo na conta bancária.
Not a single cent remained in the bank account.
Emphatic negative.
Sobrou-lhe a amarga sensação de injustiça.
He was left with the bitter sensation of injustice.
Literary placement of pronoun.
Ante a crise, sobejam problemas e sobram culpas.
In the face of crisis, problems abound and blame is left over.
Comparison with the synonym 'sobejar'.
Ainda que sobrassem recursos, o projeto falharia.
Even if resources were left over, the project would fail.
Imperfect subjunctive 'sobrassem'.
Sobram aos poetas as palavras que faltam aos políticos.
Poets have the words that politicians lack in abundance.
Complex literary inversion.
O que sobrar de mim após esta jornada?
What will be left of me after this journey?
Existential/Philosophical use.
Sobraram apenas os ecos de uma era gloriosa.
Only the echoes of a glorious era remained.
Metaphorical subject 'ecos'.
A paciência, que outrora sobrava, agora escasseia.
Patience, which once was abundant, is now scarce.
Archaic adverb 'outrora'.
Sobrou para a história o relato dos vencidos.
The account of the defeated was left for history.
Indirect object 'para a história'.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— Nothing was left. Emphasizes total consumption or loss.
Comi tudo, não sobrou nada.
— It's left for you. Usually implies a task or bill.
Eu paguei o almoço, agora a janta sobrou para você.
— Why have extra? Often used when questioning excess.
Não compre tanto, para que sobrar?
Often Confused With
Restar is more formal/abstract. Sobrar is more physical/common.
The exact opposite. Faltar = missing; Sobrar = extra.
Ficar means to stay. Sobrar specifically means to be left over from a whole.
Idioms & Expressions
— To be left with the blame or the hard work (Brazilian slang).
A empresa faliu e sobrou para o boneco explicar aos credores.
Informal— To feel like a third wheel or unwelcome in a situation.
Eles começaram a brigar e eu senti que estava a sobrar.
Neutral— To be completely extra or discarded.
Depois da reforma, este móvel sobrou de vez.
Informal— To be completely destroyed; nothing left standing.
O terremoto foi tão forte que não sobrou pedra sobre pedra.
Neutral— To fail or be left behind in a competitive situation (BR).
Ele não se preparou e sobrou na curva no vestibular.
Slang— To have a moment of peace in a busy schedule.
Hoje não me sobrou tempo nem para respirar.
Informal— To have too much talk and little action.
Lá sobra conversa e falta trabalho.
Informal— To be left for someone else to pay/solve (humorous/archaic).
Se ninguém pagar, vai sobrar para a conta do Papa.
InformalEasily Confused
Sounds similar.
'Sobre' means 'about' or 'on top of'. 'Sobrar' is a verb.
Fale sobre o que sobrou.
Noun vs Verb.
'Sobra' (noun) is the leftover. 'Sobra' (verb) is the 3rd person present.
A sobra (n) é sua se sobra (v) comida.
One letter difference.
'Soprar' means 'to blow'.
Vou soprar a vela, não sobrou nada.
Synonym.
Sobejar is very rare and literary; sobrar is every day.
A riqueza sobeja na corte.
Synonym.
Restar is often used for things that remain but aren't necessarily 'extra'.
Resta apenas uma saída.
Sentence Patterns
Sobrou [Noun]?
Sobrou pizza?
Não sobrou [Noun].
Não sobrou tempo.
Sobrou para [Person] [Verb].
Sobrou para mim limpar.
Ainda sobram [Plural Noun].
Ainda sobram dúvidas.
O que sobrar de [Noun] será...
O que sobrar do orçamento será investido.
[Noun] sobra em [Quality].
Sua inteligência sobra em relação aos pares.
Se sobrar [Noun]...
Se sobrar troco, pode ficar.
Sobrou [Quantity] de [Noun].
Sobrou um pouco de vinho.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Extremely frequent in daily spoken Portuguese.
-
Eu sobrou dinheiro.
→
Sobrou-me dinheiro / Sobrou dinheiro.
The money is the subject, not the person.
-
Sobrou dois pães.
→
Sobraram dois pães.
Verb must agree with the plural subject 'dois pães'.
-
Eu estou sobrado.
→
Eu estou sobrando.
Use the gerund to describe a continuous state of feeling extra.
-
Não sobrar nada.
→
Não sobrou nada.
Remember to conjugate the verb in the past tense for completed actions.
-
Restou para mim.
→
Sobrou para mim.
While 'restar' is a synonym, 'sobrar' is much more natural for this idiom.
Tips
Agreement
Always check the noun after the verb. If it's plural, use 'sobraram'.
Leftovers
Use 'sobras' for the food itself, and 'sobrar' for the action of being left.
Social
If you feel out of place, say 'Estou sobrando'.
Money
Use it to talk about your budget surplus: 'Quanto sobrou?'
Formal vs Informal
Use 'restar' in essays and 'sobrar' in emails/speech.
Complaining
Use 'Sobrou para mim...' to complain about unfair work distribution.
Context
Context is key to knowing if 'sobrar' is positive (abundance) or negative (left out).
Hospitality
Remember that having food 'sobrar' is often a sign of a good host.
Association
Associate 'sobrar' with 'surplus'.
Practice
Try to translate 'What's left?' every time you finish a task.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'SOBRAR' as 'SO' (so much) + 'BRAR' (bread). You have 'so much bread' that some is left over.
Visual Association
Imagine a table after a big party with half-eaten cakes and full glasses. That whole scene is 'sobrar'.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use 'sobrar' in three different contexts today: food, money, and time.
Word Origin
From the Vulgar Latin *superare, which means 'to go over' or 'to surpass'.
Original meaning: To be above, to exceed, or to overcome.
Romance (Indo-European).Cultural Context
Be careful when saying someone is 'sobrando' in a social group; it can be hurtful if not said jokingly.
In English, we often use the passive 'is left over'. In Portuguese, 'sobrar' is active and dynamic.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At a Restaurant
- Sobrou muita comida.
- Pode embrulhar o que sobrou?
- Não vai sobrar nada!
- Sobrou espaço para a sobremesa?
Budgeting
- Quanto sobrou do salário?
- Não sobra nada no fim do mês.
- Sobrou troco?
- Fiz o dinheiro sobrar.
Workplace
- Sobrou para mim terminar o relatório.
- Sobrou tempo na reunião.
- Não sobraram vagas.
- O que sobrou do projeto?
Social Events
- Sinto que estou sobrando aqui.
- Sobrou algum convite?
- Não sobraram cadeiras.
- Sobrou muita bebida.
Cooking
- Use o que sobrou na geladeira.
- Sempre sobra arroz.
- Não deixe sobrar nada.
- Sobras de ontem.
Conversation Starters
"O que você costuma fazer com a comida que sobra do jantar?"
"Sempre sobra dinheiro no final do mês para você ou falta?"
"Você já sentiu que estava sobrando em uma conversa de amigos?"
"Se sobrasse um milhão de reais na sua conta hoje, o que você faria?"
"Sobrou algum tempo livre para você relaxar esta semana?"
Journal Prompts
Escreva sobre uma vez que sobrou uma tarefa difícil para você resolver no trabalho ou na escola.
O que você faz quando percebe que sobrou muito tempo em um dia planejado?
Descreva uma refeição deliciosa onde não sobrou nada no prato.
Reflita sobre a frase 'Não sobrará pedra sobre pedra' em relação a mudanças na vida.
Como você se sente quando percebe que está sobrando em um grupo social?
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but it usually means they are 'extra' or 'unwanted' in a situation, like a third wheel. Use with caution.
Say 'Sobraram cinco dólares' or 'Eu ainda tenho cinco dólares'. Avoid 'Eu sobro...'.
The noun is 'sobras'. For example: 'Comer as sobras' (to eat the leftovers).
Yes, it is a perfectly regular -ar verb in all tenses.
Yes, 'sobrar tempo' is very common. 'Não me sobrou tempo para nada.'
It's a Brazilian idiom meaning someone got stuck with a bad situation or blame.
Usage is very similar, but PT-PT might use 'restar' or 'ficar' slightly more in certain contexts.
Yes, 'sobrar saúde' or 'sobrar talento' means having those qualities in great abundance.
Eu sobrei, você sobrou, nós sobramos, eles sobraram.
Yes, to describe the remainder in a division, though 'resto' is the specific noun used.
Test Yourself 4 questions
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Summary
Use 'sobrar' whenever you want to say something is 'left over'. Remember that in Portuguese, the leftover item is the subject: 'Sobraram 10 reais' (10 reais were left over), not 'Eu sobro 10 reais'.
- Sobrar means 'to be left over' or 'to remain' after use.
- It is used for food, money, time, and physical space.
- The phrase 'sobrar para alguém' means a task or bill fell on them.
- It is a regular -ar verb, but the subject often follows the verb.
Agreement
Always check the noun after the verb. If it's plural, use 'sobraram'.
Leftovers
Use 'sobras' for the food itself, and 'sobrar' for the action of being left.
Social
If you feel out of place, say 'Estou sobrando'.
Money
Use it to talk about your budget surplus: 'Quanto sobrou?'
Example
Se sobrar comida, podemos levar para casa.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More food words
a conta
A1The bill or check (in a restaurant).
a gosto
A2To taste, according to one's preference for flavor.
à la carte
A2À la carte, ordering individual dishes from a menu.
à mão
A2By hand (e.g., prepare by hand), done manually.
à mesa
A2At the table, referring to dining.
à parte
A2Aside; separately, served separately.
à pressa
A2In a hurry, with great haste.
à saúde
A2A toast, meaning 'to health' or 'cheers'.
a vapor
A2Steamed; cooked by steam.
à vontade
A2At ease/As much as you want; freely, comfortably.
