When you are learning Portuguese, you will quickly notice that many common English verbs are not translated directly into Portuguese. A good example of this is the verb 'to take'. In Portuguese, the verb 'tomar' is used in many situations where we would use 'to take' in English, but it also has other uses. One common use is with drinks, like 'tomar café' (to have coffee). But here’s a tip: 'tomar café' can also mean 'to have breakfast'! This is because in many Portuguese-speaking cultures, coffee is a central part of the breakfast meal. So, depending on the context, 'Eu vou tomar café' could mean 'I am going to have coffee' or 'I am going to have breakfast'. Pay attention to the situation to understand which meaning is intended.
When you're learning Portuguese at the A2 level, you're starting to build more complex sentences and understand common daily routines. The phrase tomar café is a perfect example of a phrase that seems simple but has a dual meaning depending on context. Mastering these nuances helps you sound more natural.
Understanding that it can mean both 'to have coffee' and 'to have breakfast' is crucial. You'll hear it used frequently in both ways. Paying attention to the surrounding words will usually make the meaning clear, for instance, if someone mentions food items with 'tomar café', they likely mean breakfast.
When you hear a Portuguese speaker say tomar café, the most common meaning is to have breakfast. The word café can mean coffee as a beverage, but it also means breakfast. So, if someone asks you, Você quer tomar café? they are most likely asking if you want to have breakfast, not just a cup of coffee. If you only want to drink coffee, you would usually specify by saying tomar um café or beber um café. Context is key, but generally, tomar café on its own implies the meal.
Pronunciation Guide
- Mispronouncing the 'r' at the end of 'tomar' as an English 'r' sound. In Portuguese, it's often a softer, almost 'h'-like sound or can be rolled, depending on the region.
- Failing to fully pronounce the open 'e' sound in 'café', which is similar to the 'e' in 'bed'.
Difficulty Rating
short and common phrase
straightforward usage
high frequency of use
very common expression
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Examples by Level
Todos os domingos, antes de irmos à praia, costumamos tomar café na padaria da esquina.
Every Sunday, before we go to the beach, we usually have breakfast at the corner bakery.
Using 'costumamos' (we are used to) to indicate a regular habit.
Para começar bem o dia, ele sempre toma um café forte com um pouco de leite e açúcar.
To start the day well, he always has a strong coffee with a little milk and sugar.
The article 'um' before 'café' emphasizes one serving of coffee.
Depois da corrida matinal, a primeira coisa que faço é tomar café enquanto leio as notícias.
After my morning run, the first thing I do is have coffee while reading the news.
The gerund 'lendo' (reading) shows simultaneous action.
Eu adoraria tomar café com você amanhã de manhã para discutirmos os planos do projeto.
I would love to have coffee with you tomorrow morning to discuss the project plans.
Using 'adoraria' (I would love) for a polite invitation.
Eles decidiram tomar café da manhã na varanda, aproveitando o sol e a brisa suave.
They decided to have breakfast on the balcony, enjoying the sun and the gentle breeze.
Using 'decidiram' (they decided) in the past tense.
Será que teremos tempo para tomar café antes de sairmos para o aeroporto?
Will we have time to have breakfast before we leave for the airport?
Interrogative sentence asking about future possibility.
Mesmo com pressa, ela nunca dispensa tomar um café rápido para se manter acordada.
Even in a hurry, she never skips having a quick coffee to stay awake.
The verb 'dispensar' (to skip/do without) followed by an infinitive.
Quando viajamos, sempre experimentamos diferentes lugares para tomar café e provar especialidades locais.
When we travel, we always try different places to have breakfast and taste local specialties.
Using 'sempre' (always) to describe a recurring action during travel.
How to Use It
"Tomar café" is an essential and frequently used expression in Portuguese, serving two primary meanings depending on context: to drink coffee and to have breakfast. When referring to the act of drinking coffee, it's quite straightforward. For example:
- Eu gosto de tomar café de manhã. (I like to drink coffee in the morning.)
- Vamos tomar um café? (Shall we have a coffee? / Let's grab a coffee?)
- Onde você quer tomar café hoje? (Where do you want to have breakfast today?)
- Nós sempre tomamos café juntos no domingo. (We always have breakfast together on Sunday.)
A common mistake for English speakers is to directly translate "to have breakfast" as "ter café da manhã" or "comer o café da manhã." While these are grammatically understandable, they sound unnatural to native Portuguese speakers. The idiomatic and correct way is always "tomar café". Another point of confusion can arise from the dual meaning. Learners might use "tomar café" to mean only "drink coffee" and then struggle to express "have breakfast." Remember, both meanings are valid and common. Incorrect:
- Eu vou
comer o café da manhã. (I'm going to eat the breakfast.) - Nós
temos o café da manhãna padaria. (We have the breakfast at the bakery.)
- Eu vou tomar café. (I'm going to have breakfast / I'm going to drink coffee.)
- Nós tomamos café na padaria. (We had breakfast at the bakery.)
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine 'Tom' taking a 'Cafe' (like a small cafe shop) with him everywhere he goes. He's always 'having coffee' or 'having breakfast'.
Visual Association
Picture a steaming cup of coffee next to a plate of breakfast foods (like toast, fruit, eggs) with the words 'tomar café' written on the cup.
Word Web
Challenge
Describe your typical morning routine in Portuguese, focusing on when and what you 'tomar café'. For example: 'Eu acordo às 7h e tomo café às 7h30. Eu como pão e bebo café com leite.'
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsLiterally, "tomar café" translates to "to take coffee." However, in common usage, it has broader meanings.
No, "tomar café" can mean both to drink coffee and to have breakfast. The context usually makes it clear.
You would say, "Estou a tomar café" (European Portuguese) or "Estou tomando café" (Brazilian Portuguese). You can also simply say "Tomo café" for a regular action.
You can use "Estou a tomar café" or "Estou tomando café" if you're referring to the meal. Sometimes, especially in Brazil, you might hear "Estou a tomar o pequeno-almoço" (EP) or "Estou tomando o café da manhã" (BP) for more clarity, but "tomar café" is very common.
While "beber café" specifically means 'to drink coffee,' "tomar café" is more versatile, encompassing both drinking coffee and having breakfast. Think of "tomar" as 'to take' or 'to have' a drink or a meal.
No, "tomar café" is specifically for coffee or breakfast. For lunch, you'd use "almoçar," and for dinner, "jantar."
It's a common and natural phrase used in both formal and informal contexts.
Claro! Here's one: "Vamos tomar café depois do trabalho?" (Let's have coffee after work?)
Aqui está: "Eu sempre tomo café às sete da manhã." (I always have breakfast at seven in the morning.)
You can ask, "Queres tomar café?" (Do you want to have coffee/breakfast?).
Test Yourself 54 questions
Which of these means 'to have coffee' or 'to have breakfast'?
'Tomar café' is a common Portuguese expression for having coffee or breakfast.
If someone says 'Eu quero tomar café.', what do they want to do?
'Tomar café' can mean to have breakfast.
Which word is essential in the phrase 'to have coffee'?
'Café' means coffee, and it's part of the expression 'tomar café'.
The phrase 'tomar café' always means to drink only coffee.
'Tomar café' can also mean to have breakfast, which includes more than just coffee.
If you say 'Eu vou tomar café agora', you are going to have breakfast or coffee.
This is a correct use of 'tomar café' to indicate having breakfast or coffee.
You can use 'tomar café' to say you are eating lunch.
'Tomar café' is for coffee or breakfast, not lunch. Lunch is 'almoçar'.
Choose the correct option: Maria _______ todas as manhãs antes de ir trabalhar.
The verb 'tomar' needs to be conjugated to 'toma' for the third person singular (Maria).
Qual frase está correta? (Which sentence is correct?)
The verb 'gostar' is conjugated correctly as 'gostamos' for 'nós'. 'Café' remains singular.
Se você está com fome pela manhã, você pode ______.
In Portuguese, 'tomar café' means 'to have breakfast', which is what you do when you are hungry in the morning.
A frase 'Vou tomar café agora' significa 'I am going to have dinner now'.
'Vou tomar café agora' means 'I am going to have coffee/breakfast now', not dinner.
É comum no Brasil usar 'tomar café' para se referir à primeira refeição do dia.
Yes, 'tomar café' is widely used in Brazil to mean 'to have breakfast'.
A expressão 'tomar café' só pode ser usada para beber a bebida café, e nunca para uma refeição.
The expression 'tomar café' can refer to both drinking coffee and having breakfast.
What do I always have with milk in the morning?
What are we doing together tomorrow?
Where does she like to have coffee after work?
Read this aloud:
Você toma café da manhã todos os dias?
Focus: café da manhã
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Com quem você gosta de tomar café?
Focus: com quem
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Que horas você geralmente toma café?
Focus: que horas
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Amanhã de manhã, vou ___ com a minha família, como fazemos todos os domingos.
The context 'todos os domingos' (every Sunday) suggests a regular morning activity. 'Tomar café' (to have breakfast) fits perfectly with this routine. The other options don't make sense in this context.
Ele sempre gosta de ___ um café forte antes de começar a trabalhar, para ter energia.
In Portuguese, 'tomar café' is the idiomatic expression for 'to have coffee' or 'to have breakfast'. While 'beber' (to drink) is possible, 'tomar' is the more natural and common verb used in this context.
Depois da corrida matinal, nada melhor do que ___ um café da manhã reforçado.
Similar to the previous exercise, 'tomar café da manhã' is the standard way to say 'to have breakfast' in Portuguese. 'Fazer' (to make) or 'preparar' (to prepare) would refer to the act of making the meal, not consuming it.
Eles combinaram de ___ juntos no sábado para discutir os planos da viagem.
The phrase 'tomar café' can also mean 'to have coffee' in the sense of meeting for coffee. Given the context of discussing travel plans, a coffee meeting ('tomar café') is a very common scenario.
Se você estiver com pressa, podemos ___ um café rápido no balcão da padaria.
This sentence refers to having a quick coffee. 'Tomar um café' is the correct and most natural expression for this. 'Pegar' (to grab) could be used in some informal contexts, but 'tomar' is more generally applicable for consuming beverages.
Sinto falta de ___ um café da manhã com pão de queijo e frutas frescas quando visito o Brasil.
The expression 'tomar um café da manhã' is the correct way to say 'to have breakfast' in Portuguese. The sentence describes the act of consuming the meal.
This sentence describes someone regularly having coffee with milk. The adverb 'sempre' (always) comes after the subject 'ela' (she) and before the verb 'toma' (has). 'Com leite' (with milk) follows 'café' (coffee).
This sentence expresses a future intention to have coffee together. 'Nós' (we) is the subject, followed by the auxiliary verb 'vamos' (are going to) and the infinitive 'tomar café' (have coffee). 'Juntos' (together) and 'amanhã' (tomorrow) complete the sentence.
This is a question about whether someone has already had breakfast today. 'Vocês' (you all) is the subject, 'já' (already) indicates completion, and 'tomaram' (have had) is the past participle. 'Café da manhã' (breakfast) is the object, and 'hoje' (today) specifies the time.
Focus on the phrase for 'to have breakfast'.
Listen for the action of having a strong coffee.
Pay attention to where and when they have coffee together.
Read this aloud:
Mesmo com a correria do dia a dia, é importante tomar um café da manhã nutritivo.
Focus: tomar um café da manhã
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Se você me esperar um minuto, podemos tomar um café rápido antes da reunião.
Focus: tomar um café rápido
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Gostaria de tomar café com leite ou prefere puro?
Focus: tomar café com leite
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Após uma noite agitada de estudos, o estudante decidiu ______ para recuperar as energias antes de ir para a universidade.
No contexto, 'tomar café' é a ação mais apropriada para recuperar energias pela manhã, referindo-se a tomar o café da manhã.
A avó sempre insistia para que os netos viessem à sua casa aos domingos para ______ juntos e contarem as novidades.
Neste contexto, 'tomar café' significa reunir-se para o café da manhã, um momento social importante para a família.
Mesmo com a pressa, a equipe fez questão de ______ antes da reunião importante, para discutirem os últimos detalhes informalmente.
Aqui, 'tomar café' refere-se à pausa para o café, um momento comum para discussões informais e preparação para eventos importantes.
Se alguém diz 'Vamos tomar café amanhã cedo?', isso sempre significa ir a uma cafeteria para beber café preto.
Embora possa significar ir a uma cafeteria, 'tomar café' também pode se referir a tomar o café da manhã em casa, ou a uma refeição mais elaborada no início do dia, não apenas beber café preto.
No Brasil, é comum a expressão 'tomar café' ser usada para se referir à primeira refeição do dia, que inclui pão, frutas e sucos, além do café propriamente dito.
Sim, no Brasil, 'tomar café' frequentemente engloba todo o café da manhã, que é uma refeição completa e não apenas a bebida.
A frase 'Não tive tempo de tomar café hoje' implica que a pessoa não conseguiu beber a bebida café especificamente, e não que ela pulou o café da manhã inteiro.
A frase geralmente implica que a pessoa não teve tempo para a refeição do café da manhã completa, e não apenas para a bebida café. É uma elipse comum no português para se referir à refeição.
Maria is going to have breakfast with friends on Saturday. Listen for the full phrase.
To have a good coffee, I always ask for a strong espresso. Focus on the nuances.
After having breakfast and reading the news, he felt ready for the day. Pay attention to the sequence of actions.
Read this aloud:
Eu gostaria de tomar café da manhã na padaria da esquina.
Focus: tomar café da manhã
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Você sempre toma café preto ou prefere com leite?
Focus: toma café preto
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Eles decidiram tomar café e conversar sobre os planos para a viagem.
Focus: tomar café e conversar
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence means 'She always has coffee with me in the mornings.' The word order follows the typical Portuguese structure of subject, adverb, verb, object, and then a time phrase.
This sentence translates to 'We are going to have coffee at that new bakery.' The auxiliary verb 'ir' (to go) in the future tense is followed by the infinitive 'tomar café', and then the location.
This question means 'Did you all already have breakfast this morning?' The past participle 'tomaram' is used with 'já' (already) to inquire about a completed action.
/ 54 correct
Perfect score!
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