Entendendo 'Mean': O que você quer dizer?
intenção, definir algo e esclarecer com confiança. Legal, né?
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'mean' to define words, explain your intentions, or ask for clarification using the preposition 'by'.
- Use 'mean + noun' to define things: 'Aardvark means a type of animal.'
- Use 'mean + to + verb' for intentions: 'I didn't mean to break it.'
- Use 'mean by' for clarification: 'What do you mean by that?'
Overview
mean é um dos pilares da língua inglesa e, para nós, brasileiros, ele pode ser um pouco traiçoeiro justamente por ser tão versátil. Em português, a gente usa verbos diferentes para cada situação: significar, querer dizer, ter a intenção deou
ser importante para. Em inglês, o mean abraça tudo isso.mean é o que vai te levar de um inglês básico para um inglês mais natural, permitindo que você expresse nuances sobre intenções e consequências. Imagine que você está no trabalho e precisa explicar um erro, ou num bar com amigos e quer esclarecer algo que disse; o mean será seu melhor amigo.o que isso significa?(definição) é bem diferente de
eu não quis dizer isso(intenção).
mean faz esse trabalho todo. O desafio para o falante de português é justamente aprender a identificar o contexto para saber qual tradução mental aplicar. Não se trata apenas de traduzir, mas de entender a lógica de significância que o verbo carrega.mean corretamente, vai parar de soar como se estivesse traduzindo palavra por palavra do português e começará a falar com a fluidez de quem realmente entende a estrutura do inglês. Vamos mergulhar nisso, sacou?mean funciona, precisamos dividir o uso dele em quatro categorias principais. Em português, a gente usa verbos distintos, mas em inglês, a estrutura sintática é que nos diz o que ele quer dizer.- 1Significar ou Definir: Aqui, o
meanfunciona como o nosso verbosignificar. O sujeito é geralmente algo inanimado, como uma palavra ou um símbolo. Exemplo:What does 'resilience' mean?(O que 'resiliência' significa?).
- 1Intenção ou Propósito: Aqui a coisa muda. Quando você quer dizer
ter a intenção de
, você usamean+to+ verbo. É o equivalente ao nossoter a intenção de
ouquerer. Exemplo:I didn't mean to hurt you(Eu não tive a intenção de te magoar). Note que em português usamosquerer dizerouter a intenção
, mas em inglês a estrutura é fixa com o infinitivo.
- 1Consequência ou Implicação: Aqui o
meanindica que algo leva a outro resultado. É como dizerimplicarouresultar em. Usamosmean+ gerúndio (-ing). Exemplo:Moving to São Paulo means living in traffic(Mudar para São Paulo significa/implica viver no trânsito).
- 1Importância Pessoal: Quando algo é importante para alguém, usamos
meancom um objeto indireto. Exemplo:You mean a lot to me(Você significa muito para mim). No português, a gente usasignificar muito, mas em inglês a construção comto meé obrigatória.
mean é um verbo irregular. Isso significa que, no passado, ele não ganha o sufixo -ed, mas sim uma forma própria: meant. Isso é muito comum em inglês, parecido com verbos como keep/kept ou sleep/slept.do, does ou did.- Negativa:
I don't mean that.(Eu não quero dizer isso.) - Interrogativa:
Did you mean that?(Você quis dizer isso?)
mean em situações do dia a dia, como:- 1Pedir ou dar definições:
O que essa gíria significa?
->What does this slang mean?. - 2Explicar intenções:
Eu não tive a intenção de chegar atrasado no trabalho
->I didn't mean to be late for work. - 3Falar de consequências:
Comprar um carro novo significa gastar mais com seguro
->Buying a new car means spending more on insurance. - 4Expressar sentimentos:
Essa oportunidade significa tudo para mim
->This opportunity means everything to me. - 5Marcador de discurso: Sabe quando a gente se enrola no WhatsApp e diz
quer dizer, na verdade...
? Em inglês, usamosI mean. Exemplo:Let's meet at 8, I mean, 9 PM.
- 1Confundir
meancomwant: Muitos brasileiros dizemI mean a coffeepara pedir um café. Isso está errado porquemeannão expressa desejo, mas significância. O correto éI would like a coffee. - 2Adicionar artigos antes de nomes abstratos: Por influência do português, brasileiros tendem a dizer
The mean of life, mas o correto é apenasThe meaning of life(usando o substantivo) ouWhat life means. - 3Uso do gerúndio incorreto: Tentar usar
mean+ verbo no infinitivo quando se quer falar de consequência. Exemplo:It means to be late(está errado). O correto éIt means being late(Isso implica estar atrasado).
- 1Qual a diferença entre
meaneintend?Meané mais informal e comum no dia a dia.Intendé mais formal, usado em contextos corporativos ou acadêmicos. - 2Posso usar
meaningcomo verbo? Não,meaningé o substantivo (significado) ou o gerúndio. Para o verbo, usemeanoumeans. - 3Como digo
ele é um cara mau
? Cuidado! Aqui não usamosmeancomo verbo, mas como adjetivo.He is a mean guy(Ele é um cara maldoso). O adjetivomeané um falso amigo do verbomean!
2. Negative Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Usage |
|---|---|---|
|
do not mean
|
don't mean
|
Common
|
|
does not mean
|
doesn't mean
|
Common
|
|
did not mean
|
didn't mean
|
Common
|
Conjugation of the Verb 'Mean'
| Tense | Subject | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
I/You/We/They
|
mean
|
I mean what I say.
|
|
Present Simple
|
He/She/It
|
means
|
It means a lot.
|
|
Past Simple
|
All subjects
|
meant
|
I meant to call.
|
|
Present Perfect
|
I/You/We/They
|
have meant
|
I have always meant to visit.
|
|
Past Participle
|
All subjects
|
meant
|
It was meant to be.
|
|
Gerund
|
All subjects
|
meaning
|
Meaning well isn't enough.
|
Meanings
The verb 'mean' is used to express the sense of a word, the intention of an actor, or the significance of an event.
Definition/Signification
To have a specific meaning or to represent a concept.
“The red light means you must stop.”
“What does 'ubiquitous' mean?”
Intention
To intend to do something or to have a purpose.
“I meant to call you, but I forgot.”
“She didn't mean to be rude.”
Importance/Value
To have importance or value to someone.
“This ring means a lot to me.”
“Your support means everything.”
Result/Consequence
To result in or involve something as a necessary part.
“Lowering prices means less profit.”
“The new job means moving to London.”
Reference Table
| Significado | Estrutura | Exemplo | Contexto |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Significar/Definir
|
`mean` + Noun/Clause
|
What does 'DIY' `mean`?
|
Esclarecendo termos
|
|
Pretender/Planejar
|
`mean to` + Verb
|
I `mean to finish` work early.
|
Indicando propósito
|
|
Resultar em/Envolver
|
`mean` + V-ing/Noun
|
Being late `means missing` the train.
|
Consequências
|
|
Ser importante para
|
`mean` + Noun + `to` + Person
|
You `mean a lot to` me.
|
Expressando valor
|
|
Estar falando sério
|
`mean it`
|
I `mean it`!
|
Enfatizando a verdade
|
|
Intenção passada
|
`meant to` + Verb
|
He `meant to call` you.
|
Planos não realizados
|
Espectro de formalidade
Could you please elaborate on what you mean by 'restructuring'? (Workplace)
What do you mean by 'restructuring'? (Workplace)
What do you mean, 'restructuring'? (Workplace)
WDYM restructuring? (Workplace)
Os Muitos Significados de 'Mean'
Significar/Definir
- What does this word mean? Buscando definição
- Red light means stop. Significado simbólico
Pretender/Planejar
- I mean to call you. Ação proposital
- She didn't mean any harm. Falta de má intenção
Resultar/Envolver
- Promotion means more work. Consequência
- Being late means missing class. Implicação
Importância/Valor
- You mean a lot to me. Significado pessoal
- This opportunity means everything. Alto valor
'Mean to' vs. 'Mean -ing'
Escolhendo o Uso Certo de 'Mean'
Você está falando sobre propósito ou plano?
Você está pedindo uma definição ou explicando o que algo significa?
Você está discutindo um resultado ou consequência de uma ação?
Frases Chave com 'Mean'
Esclarecimento
- • What do you mean?
- • What do you mean by that?
Seriedade
- • I mean it.
- • She means business.
Importância
- • It means a lot.
- • You mean the world to me.
Pedido de Desculpas
- • I didn't mean to...
- • He means no harm.
Exemplos por nível
What does this word mean?
What is the definition of this word?
Red means stop.
The color red signifies stopping.
You mean a lot to me.
You are very important to me.
Does this mean yes?
Is this a 'yes'?
I didn't mean to hurt you.
It was not my intention to cause you pain.
He meant to call yesterday.
He intended to call but didn't.
What did she mean by that?
What was her intention with those words?
I meant the other one.
I was referring to the different one.
What do you mean by 'expensive'?
How do you define 'expensive' in this case?
Working here means traveling a lot.
This job involves frequent travel.
I've been meaning to ask you something.
I have intended to ask you for a while.
That's not what I meant at all.
My intention was completely different.
The failure of the pump meant that the whole system crashed.
The pump failure resulted in a system crash.
I didn't mean for this to happen.
I did not intend for this situation to occur.
Do you mean to tell me you lost the keys?
Are you seriously saying you lost them?
By no means is this an easy task.
This is definitely not an easy task.
The gesture was meant as a peace offering.
The intention of the gesture was peace.
I mean, it’s not that I don’t like him, but he’s difficult.
Let me clarify: I like him, but he is hard to work with.
What is meant by 'justice' varies across cultures.
The definition of justice is culturally dependent.
He is a man of considerable means.
He is a very wealthy man.
The end justifies the means.
The result is so important that any method is okay.
It was no mean feat to complete the marathon in under three hours.
It was a very impressive achievement.
The poem's imagery is meant to evoke a sense of nostalgia.
The purpose of the imagery is to create nostalgia.
I mean to say, the implications are staggering.
What I am trying to express is that the results are shocking.
Fácil de confundir
Both express purpose, but 'intend' is much more formal.
Learners use the noun when they need the verb.
The same word has totally different meanings.
Erros comuns
What means this word?
What does this word mean?
This word is meaning apple.
This word means apple.
It mean a lot.
It means a lot.
What mean 'hello'?
What does 'hello' mean?
I meant call you.
I meant to call you.
I didn't meant it.
I didn't mean it.
He is mean to go.
He means to go.
What do you mean with that?
What do you mean by that?
I've been meaning asking you.
I've been meaning to ask you.
This means to work harder.
This means working harder.
The end justifies the mean.
The end justifies the means.
Padrões de frases
What does ___ mean?
I didn't mean to ___.
What do you mean by ___?
___ means ___ing.
Real World Usage
WDYM you can't come tonight?
I mean to contribute to the growth of this company.
What do you mean by 'non-refundable'?
You mean the world to me.
Does this word mean the same as 'big'?
The term 'User' shall mean any person accessing the site.
Contexto é Rei!
I mean to help youvs. "What does 'help' mean?"
Não use 'Mean' no lugar de 'Want'!
I want a coffee, please.
Domine 'Mean to' vs 'Mean -ing'!
I meant to apologizevs.
Being rude means trouble.
O Tom em 'What Do You Mean?'
Could you explain what you mean by that?
Smart Tips
Use 'I didn't mean to' followed by the action. It sounds much more sincere than just saying 'Sorry'.
Don't just say 'What?'. Say 'What does [word] mean?'. It's the hallmark of a proactive learner.
Use 'What do you mean by that?' to pause and get a better explanation.
Use 'mean + -ing' to list the responsibilities. It sounds very professional.
Pronúncia
Mean vs Meant
The present tense 'mean' has a long /iː/ sound. The past tense 'meant' changes to a short /e/ sound.
Meaning
The 'ng' at the end is a soft nasal sound, not a hard 'g'.
Clarification Question
What do you mean by ↗THAT?
Rising intonation on the last word shows genuine curiosity or surprise.
Memorize
Mnemônico
Mean what you say, and say what you mean! Use 'to' for plans and 'by' for the way.
Associação visual
Imagine a dictionary with a heart inside it. The dictionary represents the 'definition' sense, and the heart represents the 'intention' and 'importance' senses.
Rhyme
If you mean to do it, you have a plan. If you mean by it, explain if you can!
Story
A student named Mark didn't 'mean to' spill coffee on a dictionary. He asked the teacher, 'What does 'clumsy' mean?' The teacher said, 'It means you, Mark!' Mark laughed because the teacher 'meant it' as a joke.
Word Web
Desafio
Write three sentences: one about what a word in your native language means in English, one about something you meant to do today but didn't, and one about what your favorite hobby means to you.
Notas culturais
In the UK, 'mean' is very commonly used to mean 'stingy' or 'not generous with money'.
In the US, 'mean' often refers to someone who is 'unfriendly' or 'cruel' in their behavior.
In mathematics and statistics globally, 'mean' refers to the average of a set of numbers.
Derived from the Old English 'mænan', which meant 'to tell, say, or complain'.
Iniciadores de conversa
What does 'success' mean to you?
Have you ever said something and then had to say 'I didn't mean it'?
What do you mean to do after you finish your English course?
If you could change one thing about your city, what would it mean for the people living there?
Temas para diário
Erros comuns
Test Yourself
I didn't ___ to hurt your feelings.
Choose the correct sentence:
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Score: /3
Exercicios praticos
8 exercisesWhat ___ 'ubiquitous' mean?
What do you mean ___ that comment?
Find and fix the mistake:
I didn't meant to break your phone.
It was my intention to help you.
A: We need to talk. B: What do you ___?
1. I mean to go. 2. It means a lot. 3. What does it mean?
mean / what / by / do / you / 'soon' / ?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesWhat does 'ubiquitous' ___?
She mean to finish her assignment today.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Lo siento, no quise ofenderte.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the phrases with their primary meaning:
They ___ to meet us at the cafe, but got stuck in traffic.
Having a pet dog means to walk it every day.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Ella no quiso ser grosera.'
Arrange these words into a question:
Match the tense with the correct form of 'mean':
Score: /12
Perguntas frequentes (8)
No, 'mean' can be an adjective (meaning cruel or stingy) or a noun (meaning the average in math). However, at B1, you mostly use it as a verb.
Yes, that is perfectly correct. It uses the noun `meaning` instead of the verb `mean`. It is slightly more formal.
We use `mean to` for our own intentions. We use `mean for` when we intend something for someone else, e.g., 'I meant for you to have this.'
It is an irregular verb. Many English verbs change their vowel sound in the past tense (like 'keep/kept' or 'sleep/slept').
Not necessarily. It's a natural filler, but if you say it every three words, it can be distracting. Use it to clarify your thoughts.
Yes, especially in the phrase `be meant to`. For example, 'You are meant to be here at 8:00' (meaning you are supposed to be here).
Usually, yes. You mean *something* or you mean *to do something*. The only exception is the idiomatic 'I mean it!'
It is an idiom meaning a very difficult and impressive achievement.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
significar / querer decir
English uses one verb ('mean') where Spanish often switches between two.
signifier / vouloir dire
French 'vouloir dire' literally translates to 'to want to say'.
bedeuten / meinen
German strictly separates 'bedeuten' (objects) from 'meinen' (people).
意味する (imi suru) / つもり (tsumori)
Japanese uses completely different words for definition vs. intention.
يعني (ya'ni)
Arabic 'ya'ni' is used even more frequently as a discourse marker than English 'I mean'.
意思是 (yìsi shì) / 打算 (dǎsuàn)
Chinese requires a noun ('meaning') to express what a word 'means'.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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