When you want to say “to take a shower or bath” in Portuguese, you use the phrase “tomar banho.”
“Tomar” means “to take.”
“Banho” means “bath” or “shower.”
So, putting it together, “tomar banho” literally means “to take a bath.” However, it's used for both showers and baths.
When learning Portuguese, understanding everyday phrases like "tomar banho" is super useful. This phrase literally translates to "to take a bath," but it's used for both showering and bathing.
At the A2 level, you're building on basic interactions. Knowing how to talk about daily routines, like personal hygiene, is key. So, when you want to say you're going to shower or take a bath, "tomar banho" is your go-to.
Remember, it's a common phrase, so you'll hear it a lot and use it often.
When talking about hygiene in Portuguese, you'll often encounter the phrase "tomar banho." This versatile expression covers both taking a shower and taking a bath. Unlike English, where you might say "take a shower" or "take a bath," Portuguese uses this single phrase for both actions. So, whether you're washing quickly in the shower or soaking in the tub, "tomar banho" is the phrase you'll use.
When talking about hygiene or getting clean, Portuguese speakers use tomar banho. This phrase literally translates to "to take a bath," but it's used for both showering and bathing. You wouldn't typically say fazer um chuveiro or fazer um banho. It's a very common everyday expression, so it's good to get familiar with it.
tomar banho in 30 Seconds
- Use 'tomar banho' for showering or bathing.
- It's a common, everyday phrase.
- Literally means 'to take a bath'.
Hello there! Let's talk about a super common and practical phrase in Portuguese: tomar banho. This is how you say 'to take a shower' or 'to take a bath'. It's pretty straightforward, but there are a couple of things to keep in mind to use it correctly.
§ The Basics of "tomar banho"
First off, tomar is the verb 'to take'. When paired with banho (bath/shower), it forms this common phrase. You'll conjugate tomar just like any other regular -ar verb.
- Definition
- To take a shower or bath.
Eu gosto de tomar banho de manhã. (I like to take a shower in the morning.)
Ela sempre toma banho antes de dormir. (She always takes a bath before sleeping.)
§ Conjugating "tomar"
Here’s a quick look at how you'd conjugate tomar in the present tense, which is what you'll use most often with tomar banho:
- Eu tomo banho (I take a shower/bath)
- Tu tomas banho (You (informal) take a shower/bath)
- Ele/Ela/Você toma banho (He/She/You (formal) takes a shower/bath)
- Nós tomamos banho (We take a shower/bath)
- Eles/Elas/Vocês tomam banho (They/You all take a shower/bath)
§ Using "tomar banho" with different tenses
You can use tomar banho in various tenses, just by conjugating the verb tomar. Here are a couple of examples:
- Past Tense (Pretérito Perfeito): Eu tomei banho depois do trabalho. (I took a shower after work.)
- Future Tense: Nós vamos tomar banho mais tarde. (We are going to take a shower later.)
§ No Prepositions Needed
Good news! When using tomar banho, you don't typically need any prepositions between tomar and banho. It's a direct combination.
Eles precisam tomar banho antes da festa. (They need to take a shower before the party.)
Notice how there's no 'de', 'em', or 'para' between tomar and banho.
§ "Taking a bath" vs. "Taking a shower"
The beauty of tomar banho is that it covers both 'taking a shower' and 'taking a bath'. The context usually makes it clear which one is implied. If you really need to specify, you can say:
- Tomar banho de chuveiro (to take a shower - 'chuveiro' is shower head)
- Tomar banho de imersão (to take a bath - 'imersão' means immersion)
However, these more specific phrases are less common in everyday conversation. Most of the time, just tomar banho will do the trick.
§ Common Mistakes to Avoid
A common mistake for English speakers is trying to translate 'to shower' literally. You might be tempted to say something like *'choveirar'*, but that's not correct. Stick with tomar banho.
Eu preciso tomar banho agora. (I need to take a shower now.)
So, there you have it! Tomar banho is an essential phrase for your Portuguese vocabulary. Practice conjugating tomar and using it in different contexts, and you'll be using it like a native in no time.
§ Understanding "Tomar Banho"
The Portuguese phrase tomar banho literally means "to take a bath." However, in modern Portuguese, it's used for both taking a bath and taking a shower. You won't hear people say "tomar chuveiro" (take a shower) or anything like that. When you want to talk about cleaning yourself with water, tomar banho is the phrase you need.
- Definition
- To take a shower or bath.
Eu preciso tomar banho antes de sair. (I need to take a shower before going out.)
As crianças gostam de tomar banho com espuma. (The children like to take a bath with foam.)
§ "Tomar banho" vs. Other "Tomar" Phrases
The verb tomar is very common in Portuguese and combines with many nouns to form everyday expressions. It often translates to "to take" or "to drink," depending on the context.
- Tomar café: To drink coffee.
- Tomar sol: To sunbathe (literally, "to take sun").
- Tomar um táxi: To take a taxi.
- Tomar uma decisão: To make a decision (literally, "to take a decision").
- Tomar partido: To take sides.
As you can see, tomar is quite versatile. However, when it comes to personal hygiene involving water, tomar banho is the specific and correct phrase. You wouldn't use fazer um banho (make a bath) or ter um banho (have a bath).
§ Saying You're Going to Shower (informally)
While tomar banho is the standard, sometimes you might hear or use a slightly more informal way to say you're going to shower, especially in Brazilian Portuguese. People might say "vou pro banho" which literally means "I'm going to the bath/shower." This is more casual, like saying "I'm off to shower" in English.
Estou sujo. Vou pro banho agora. (I'm dirty. I'm going to shower now.)
However, stick with tomar banho for general conversation and when you want to be clear and grammatically correct. It's the most common and widely understood expression.
§ Verbs for Washing
While tomar banho refers to the act of taking a shower or bath, you also have specific verbs for washing parts of the body:
- Lavar: To wash.
- Lavar o cabelo: To wash one's hair.
- Lavar as mãos: To wash one's hands.
- Lavar o rosto: To wash one's face.
Preciso lavar o carro hoje. (I need to wash the car today.)
Vou lavar o meu cabelo antes de sair. (I'm going to wash my hair before going out.)
So, if you're talking about washing something specific, use lavar. If you're talking about the general act of cleaning your body with water, use tomar banho.
Pronunciation Guide
- Forgetting to conjugate 'tomar' according to the subject.
- Confusing 'banho' (bath/shower) with 'banco' (bank/bench).
Examples by Level
Depois de um longo dia de trabalho, tudo o que eu queria era chegar em casa e tomar um banho relaxante.
After a long day of work, all I wanted was to get home and take a relaxing shower.
Here, 'tomar banho' is used with the indefinite article 'um' and the adjective 'relaxante' to specify the type of bath/shower.
É importante tomar banho todos os dias para manter a higiene pessoal.
It's important to take a shower every day to maintain personal hygiene.
This is a general statement about a routine action. 'Tomar banho' is in the infinitive form, as it follows 'é importante'.
As crianças adoram tomar banho de espuma, é uma diversão para elas.
Children love to take a bubble bath; it's fun for them.
'Banho de espuma' specifies 'bubble bath'. The phrase remains 'tomar banho'.
Ele prometeu que ia tomar banho logo depois do jogo, mas ainda está no sofá.
He promised he would take a shower right after the game, but he's still on the couch.
Here, 'tomar banho' is in the future tense ('ia tomar banho') to indicate a planned action.
Para economizar água, procuro tomar banhos mais curtos e eficientes.
To save water, I try to take shorter and more efficient showers.
'Procurar' (to try) followed by 'tomar banho' in the infinitive.
Se você for à praia, é sempre bom tomar uma ducha para tirar a areia e o sal.
If you go to the beach, it's always good to take a shower to remove the sand and salt.
'Tomar uma ducha' is a common alternative, specifically meaning 'to take a shower'.
Ela sempre toma banho antes de dormir, é parte da sua rotina noturna.
She always takes a shower before sleeping; it's part of her nightly routine.
Present tense ('toma banho') for a habitual action.
Não se esqueça de tomar banho antes de vestir a roupa nova para não a sujar.
Don't forget to take a shower before putting on your new clothes so as not to get them dirty.
Imperative negative 'não se esqueça de' followed by 'tomar banho' in the infinitive.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Eu preciso tomar banho.
I need to take a shower.
Você já tomou banho hoje?
Have you already showered today?
Ela gosta de tomar banho relaxante.
She likes to take a relaxing bath.
Vamos tomar banho depois do jogo.
Let's shower after the game.
As crianças querem tomar banho de piscina.
The kids want to swim in the pool.
É bom tomar banho depois do trabalho.
It's good to shower after work.
Por favor, não demore para tomar banho.
Please don't take long to shower.
Ele sempre toma banho antes de sair.
He always showers before going out.
Você prefere tomar banho ou duche?
Do you prefer to take a bath or a shower?
Eu vou tomar banho agora mesmo.
I'm going to take a shower right now.
Idioms & Expressions
"Estar com a faca e o queijo na mão"
To have all the conditions to succeed / To have the upper hand
Ele está com a faca e o queijo na mão para conseguir o emprego. (He has everything he needs to get the job.)
neutral"Pôr a mão na massa"
To get to work / To get your hands dirty
Chega de falar, vamos pôr a mão na massa! (Enough talking, let's get to work!)
neutral"Ter macaquinhos no sótão"
To be a bit crazy / To have bats in the belfry
Não ligue para o que ele diz, ele tem uns macaquinhos no sótão. (Don't pay attention to what he says, he's a bit crazy.)
informal"Chutar o balde"
To give up / To throw in the towel
Depois de tanto estresse, ela chutou o balde e pediu demissão. (After so much stress, she gave up and resigned.)
informal"Ficar com a pulga atrás da orelha"
To be suspicious / To have a flea behind the ear
A história dele não me convenceu, fiquei com a pulga atrás da orelha. (His story didn't convince me, I was suspicious.)
neutral"Dar com a língua nos dentes"
To spill the beans / To let the cat out of the bag
Ele não aguentou e deu com a língua nos dentes sobre a surpresa. (He couldn't resist and spilled the beans about the surprise.)
informal"Agarrar o touro pelos cornos"
To take the bull by the horns / To face a difficult situation directly
É hora de agarrar o touro pelos cornos e resolver esse problema. (It's time to take the bull by the horns and solve this problem.)
neutral"Pagar o pato"
To pay the price / To take the blame (unfairly)
Ele fez a bagunça, mas fui eu que paguei o pato. (He made the mess, but I was the one who paid the price.)
informal"Estar com a corda no pescoço"
To be in a tight spot / To be in a difficult financial situation
Com tantas dívidas, ele está com a corda no pescoço. (With so many debts, he's in a tight spot.)
neutral"Meter os pés pelas mãos"
To mess things up / To put your foot in your mouth
Ele tentou ajudar, mas acabou metendo os pés pelas mãos. (He tried to help, but ended up messing things up.)
informalTips
Literal meaning
Literally, 'tomar' means 'to take' and 'banho' means 'bath'. So, 'tomar banho' translates directly to 'to take a bath'.
Versatile phrase
This phrase is used for both taking a shower and taking a bath. You don't need separate phrases.
Conjugate 'tomar'
Remember to conjugate the verb 'tomar' according to who is taking the shower/bath. For example, 'Eu tomo banho' (I take a shower/bath), 'Ele toma banho' (He takes a shower/bath).
Common usage
This is a very common phrase you'll hear and use daily. Make sure to practice it until it's natural.
Don't confuse with 'lavar'
While 'lavar' means 'to wash', it's not typically used for washing your entire body. Stick with 'tomar banho' for that.
Daily routine
In many Portuguese-speaking cultures, taking a shower (or 'tomar banho') is often done multiple times a day, especially in warmer climates.
Example: present tense
Here's an example: 'Eu sempre tomo banho de manhã.' (I always take a shower in the morning.)
Example: past tense
Here's an example in the past: 'Ontem, ele tomou banho à noite.' (Yesterday, he took a shower at night.)
Reflexive form (less common)
While less common for the general act of bathing, you might occasionally hear 'banhar-se' as a more formal or literary way of saying 'to bathe oneself'.
Practice regularly
Incorporate 'tomar banho' into your daily Portuguese practice. Say it out loud when you are about to take a shower or bath.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'toma'-hawk (tomar) being used to 'ban' a 'yo' (banho) in the shower. 'Tomahawk-ban-yo' = 'tomar banho'.
Visual Association
Picture yourself physically 'taking' (tomar) a bath, perhaps grabbing the bathwater with your hands. Or, visualize a 'banho' (bath/shower) and imagine a giant hand 'taking' it from the bathroom.
Word Web
Challenge
Describe your morning routine in Portuguese, making sure to include when you 'tomar banho'. For example: 'De manhã, eu acordo, como, e depois tomo banho.'
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Before or after work/school
- Eu preciso tomar banho antes de ir trabalhar.
- Depois da aula, vou tomar banho.
- Você já tomou banho hoje de manhã?
After exercising or playing sports
- Vou tomar banho depois da corrida.
- Estou suado, preciso tomar um banho rápido.
- Que bom, um banho depois do futebol!
Before going to bed
- Sempre tomo banho antes de dormir.
- Um banho quente ajuda a relaxar para dormir.
- Você vai tomar banho agora ou mais tarde?
When feeling dirty or hot
- Estou todo sujo, vou tomar banho.
- Que calor! Vou tomar um banho frio.
- Preciso de um banho para me refrescar.
Planning daily routines
- Qual é a sua rotina matinal? Você toma banho primeiro?
- Ele sempre toma banho logo que acorda.
- Temos que tomar banho antes do jantar.
Conversation Starters
"Você prefere tomar banho de manhã ou à noite? (Do you prefer to shower in the morning or at night?)"
"O que você faz antes de tomar banho? (What do you do before taking a shower/bath?)"
"Com que frequência você toma banho? (How often do you shower/bathe?)"
"Você gosta de banhos quentes ou frios? (Do you like hot or cold showers/baths?)"
"Qual é a primeira coisa que você faz depois de tomar banho? (What's the first thing you do after showering/bathing?)"
Journal Prompts
Descreva sua rotina para tomar banho. (Describe your routine for taking a shower/bath.)
Pense em um momento em que você estava muito feliz por tomar banho. O que aconteceu? (Think of a time when you were very happy to take a shower/bath. What happened?)
Escreva sobre a importância de tomar banho na sua cultura. (Write about the importance of showering/bathing in your culture.)
Se você pudesse inventar um produto para usar ao tomar banho, o que seria? (If you could invent a product to use while showering/bathing, what would it be?)
Qual é a sua memória mais antiga relacionada a tomar banho? (What is your oldest memory related to taking a shower/bath?)
Test Yourself 60 questions
Eu ___ banho todos os dias. (I take a shower every day.)
The verb 'tomar' conjugates to 'tomo' for the first person singular 'Eu' (I).
Você quer ___ banho agora? (Do you want to take a bath now?)
When used after another conjugated verb (quer - want), 'tomar' remains in the infinitive form.
Ela ___ banho de manhã. (She takes a shower in the morning.)
The verb 'tomar' conjugates to 'toma' for the third person singular 'Ela' (She).
Nós gostamos de ___ banho. (We like to take a bath.)
Similar to the previous example, 'tomar' remains in the infinitive after another conjugated verb (gostamos - we like).
Eles vão ___ banho. (They are going to take a shower.)
When 'tomar' follows a form of 'ir' (to go) + infinitive, it remains in the infinitive.
Quando você ___ banho? (When do you take a shower?)
The verb 'tomar' conjugates to 'tomas' for the second person singular 'você' (you) in an informal context.
Eu preciso ___ ___ depois de correr. (I need to take a shower after running.)
The phrase 'tomar banho' means 'to take a shower/bath', which fits the context of needing to clean up after running.
Você vai ___ ___ de manhã ou à noite? (Are you going to take a bath in the morning or at night?)
The verb 'tomar' combined with 'banho' forms the common phrase for 'to take a bath/shower'.
As crianças sempre querem ___ ___ com muitos brinquedos. (The children always want to take a bath with many toys.)
This sentence describes an action related to bathing, making 'tomar banho' the correct phrase.
Eu gosto de ___ ___ com água quente. (I like to take a shower with hot water.)
The context implies the act of showering, thus 'tomar banho' is the appropriate phrase.
Ele não pode ___ ___ agora, está muito ocupado. (He cannot take a shower now, he is very busy.)
The phrase 'tomar banho' is the correct expression for 'to take a shower/bath'.
Depois do trabalho, eu vou ___ ___. (After work, I will take a shower.)
The sentence indicates a common activity done after work for hygiene, which is 'tomar banho'.
The correct order is Subject (Eu), Adverb of Frequency (sempre), Verb (tomo), Object (banho), and Time Expression (de manhã).
The sentence starts with the subject (Você), followed by the auxiliary verb (vai), the infinitive phrase (tomar banho), and the time adverb (agora).
The structure is Subject (Ela), Verb (gosta), Preposition (de), Infinitive (tomar banho), and then the phrase indicating when (depois do exercício).
The speaker needs to take a shower before leaving.
She always showers in the morning to wake up.
Did you all shower after the beach?
Read this aloud:
Eu vou tomar banho agora.
Focus: tomar banho
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Você toma banho frio ou quente?
Focus: toma banho
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Nós podemos tomar banho depois do exercício.
Focus: tomar banho
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence means 'I always take a shower before sleeping.' The word order is 'Subject + Adverb + Verb + Object + Adverbial Phrase.'
This means 'Are you going to take a shower now or later?' It's a question using the future tense and 'tomar banho'.
This translates to 'She likes to take a shower with hot water.' The structure is 'Subject + Verb + Preposition + Infinitive + Prepositional Phrase'.
Depois de um longo dia de trabalho, tudo o que eu quero é ___.
The context implies a desire for relaxation and cleaning after work.
É importante ___ todos os dias para manter a higiene pessoal.
The sentence speaks about daily personal hygiene.
As crianças adoram ___ na piscina, mas depois precisam ___.
After swimming, one usually takes a bath or shower.
Ele sempre canta enquanto está a ___.
Singing in the shower is a common activity.
Por causa do calor, vou ___ duas vezes ao dia.
In hot weather, taking more showers is common.
Depois de um treino intenso, é essencial ___ para relaxar os músculos.
After a workout, a shower helps to relax muscles.
Choose the best translation for: 'Eu costumo tomar banho todos os dias pela manhã.'
'Costumo' means 'I usually' or 'I am accustomed to'. 'Tomar banho' means 'to take a shower/bath'.
Which sentence correctly uses 'tomar banho' in a past context?
For a past action ('Ontem' - yesterday), the verb 'tomar' should be in the past tense, which is 'tomou'.
If someone is going on a trip and wants to express that they will take a bath when they arrive, which option is best?
This expresses a future action contingent on another future event. 'Vou tomar banho' is the correct future tense for 'tomar banho'.
The phrase 'tomar banho' can only refer to taking a shower, not a bath.
The phrase 'tomar banho' can refer to either taking a shower or a bath, depending on the context.
It is grammatically correct to say 'Eu banhei' instead of 'Eu tomei banho' to mean 'I bathed'.
Both 'Eu banhei' and 'Eu tomei banho' are grammatically correct ways to say 'I bathed'. 'Tomar banho' is more common.
In Portugal, it's common to hear 'tomar duche' specifically for taking a shower.
While 'tomar banho' is widely understood, in Portugal, 'tomar duche' is often used when specifically referring to taking a shower.
What is the speaker going to do in the morning?
What is the implied urgency?
What kind of bath did the speaker want?
Read this aloud:
Eu preciso tomar banho antes de sair.
Focus: tomar banho
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Ele gosta de tomar banho frio de manhã.
Focus: gosta de tomar
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Sempre tomamos banho depois de nadar na piscina.
Focus: sempre tomamos
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence describes a routine action. 'Ela' (she) is the subject, 'sempre gosta' (always likes) is the verb phrase, followed by the infinitive 'de tomar' (to take) and the direct object 'um longo banho' (a long bath), and finally 'depois do trabalho' (after work) indicating time.
This sentence provides advice. 'Para relaxar completamente' (To relax completely) is a subordinate clause, 'recomendo' (I recommend) is the main verb, followed by 'tomar um banho quente' (to take a warm bath) and 'com sais aromáticos' (with aromatic salts) for additional detail.
This sentence describes an action despite a constraint. 'Apesar da pressa' (Despite the rush) introduces a contrasting idea. 'Ele fez questão de' (He made a point of) emphasizes his intention, followed by 'tomar um banho rápido' (to take a quick bath) and 'antes de sair' (before leaving) for timing.
Após uma longa caminhada sob o sol escaldante, a única coisa que realmente me apetecia era ______.
A frase descreve uma situação de calor e exaustão, onde 'tomar banho' (to take a shower/bath) é a ação mais lógica e refrescante. As outras opções não se encaixam tão bem no contexto de 'sol escaldante'.
Para manter a higiene pessoal diária, é essencial ______ todas as manhãs.
A higiene pessoal diária envolve 'tomar banho' (to take a shower/bath) para se limpar. As outras atividades não são consideradas parte da rotina de higiene básica.
Depois de pintar a casa, ele estava coberto de tinta e precisava urgentemente ______.
Estar coberto de tinta indica a necessidade de 'tomar banho' (to take a shower/bath) para remover a sujeira. As outras opções não resolveriam o problema da tinta.
É correto usar a expressão 'tomar banho' para se referir à ação de ir nadar em uma piscina.
A expressão 'tomar banho' refere-se especificamente a tomar um chuveiro ou banho para higiene pessoal, não para nadar. Para nadar, usa-se 'ir nadar' ou 'mergulhar'.
Quando alguém diz 'Vou tomar banho antes de sair', significa que a pessoa pretende se lavar antes de ir embora.
Exatamente. 'Tomar banho' neste contexto significa se lavar ou se refrescar antes de uma saída, o que é uma preparação comum.
Se um amigo convida você para 'tomar um banho de sol', ele está sugerindo que vocês se lavem juntos.
'Tomar um banho de sol' é uma expressão idiomática que significa 'sunbathe' (apanhar sol), e não tem relação com a higiene pessoal ou com a expressão 'tomar banho' em seu sentido literal de se lavar.
/ 60 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Remember that 'tomar banho' covers both showering and bathing, so you don't need separate verbs for each.
- Use 'tomar banho' for showering or bathing.
- It's a common, everyday phrase.
- Literally means 'to take a bath'.
Literal meaning
Literally, 'tomar' means 'to take' and 'banho' means 'bath'. So, 'tomar banho' translates directly to 'to take a bath'.
Versatile phrase
This phrase is used for both taking a shower and taking a bath. You don't need separate phrases.
Conjugate 'tomar'
Remember to conjugate the verb 'tomar' according to who is taking the shower/bath. For example, 'Eu tomo banho' (I take a shower/bath), 'Ele toma banho' (He takes a shower/bath).
Common usage
This is a very common phrase you'll hear and use daily. Make sure to practice it until it's natural.
Example
Preciso tomar banho antes de sair.
Related Content
Related Phrases
More daily_life words
à noite
A2at night; during the period from sunset to sunrise.
a par de
C1Aware of; abreast of; in addition to.
a propósito
B2By the way; incidentally; speaking of that.
à tarde
A2in the afternoon; during the period from noon to evening.
abastecimento
C1The action of supplying something with something else; provision of goods.
abotoar
B2To fasten (clothing) with buttons.
abranger
C1To cover, encompass, or include a wide range of things.
abre
B1Opens (third person singular of 'abrir').
Abril
A1April
Abrir
A1To open
