15秒了解
- To have a long, friendly, and engaging chat with someone.
- Commonly used for social gatherings and informal catch-ups.
- Implies a pleasant or animated exchange of words and stories.
意思
It means to engage in a long, friendly conversation or to have a good old-fashioned chat. It implies you are enjoying the talk and lose track of time.
关键例句
3 / 6Meeting a friend at a cafe
Nós fomos tomar um café e acabamos dando muito cavaco.
We went for a coffee and ended up chatting a lot.
Describing a talkative neighbor
O vizinho adora dar cavaco quando me vê no corredor.
The neighbor loves to chat when he sees me in the hallway.
After a long phone call
Desculpe a demora, a minha mãe ligou e demos muito cavaco.
Sorry for the delay, my mom called and we chatted for ages.
文化背景
The expression likely stems from the woodworking trade, where 'cavacos' (shavings) are the byproduct of continuous work. In a social sense, it suggests that conversation is the natural byproduct of spending time together. It is deeply rooted in the 'cafezinho' culture of Brazil and Portugal.
The 'Response' Factor
Using 'dar cavaco' often implies that you are being a good listener and responding well, not just talking at someone.
Don't over-formalize
If you use this in a legal deposition or a formal interview, you'll sound like you're not taking things seriously.
15秒了解
- To have a long, friendly, and engaging chat with someone.
- Commonly used for social gatherings and informal catch-ups.
- Implies a pleasant or animated exchange of words and stories.
What It Means
Dar cavaco is all about the art of conversation. It describes those moments when you start talking and simply cannot stop. It is not just a quick 'hello' or a business update. It is a deep, cozy, or animated chat. Think of it as 'chewing the fat' or 'shooting the breeze'. You are sharing stories, gossip, or just life updates.
How To Use It
You use it as a verb phrase. It works perfectly when describing someone who loves to talk. You can say someone 'deu muito cavaco' at a party. It suggests a high level of engagement. Use it to describe your neighbor who traps you for twenty minutes. Or use it for your best friend you haven't seen in years. It is a flexible, warm expression for social connection.
When To Use It
Use it when the atmosphere is relaxed. It is great for family reunions or coffee dates. If you see two people talking intensely, this is the phrase. It fits perfectly in a text message after a long call. It is ideal for describing a successful first date. Use it whenever the focus is on the quality of the talk. It sounds very natural and 'local' to native ears.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this in high-stakes professional meetings. You wouldn't say your CEO 'deu cavaco' during a board presentation. That would sound a bit too dismissive or informal. It implies a lack of structure that business usually dislikes. Also, do not use it for an argument. If people are shouting, they are not 'dando cavaco'. It is strictly for friendly or neutral social interaction.
Cultural Background
The word cavaco refers to a wood shaving or a small piece of wood. Some say it relates to the 'chatter' of a carpenter's tool. Others link it to the cavaquinho, a small guitar used in Samba. Just as the instrument provides a rhythmic, constant sound, a person 'giving cavaco' provides a constant stream of words. It reflects the talkative, social nature of Brazilian and Portuguese cultures.
Common Variations
You might hear puxar papo which means to start a conversation. There is also jogar conversa fora, which means to idle chat. However, dar cavaco feels more specific to the act of responding and engaging. In some regions, dar trela is a common synonym. It means giving someone the 'leash' to keep talking. All these phrases celebrate the joy of human connection through speech.
使用说明
The phrase is firmly in the informal/neutral category. It's safe for friends, family, and friendly acquaintances, but avoid it in strictly professional or academic writing.
The 'Response' Factor
Using 'dar cavaco' often implies that you are being a good listener and responding well, not just talking at someone.
Don't over-formalize
If you use this in a legal deposition or a formal interview, you'll sound like you're not taking things seriously.
The Cavaquinho Connection
In Brazil, the 'cavaco' is also a nickname for the small guitar used in Samba. Think of your conversation as a rhythmic musical jam!
例句
6Nós fomos tomar um café e acabamos dando muito cavaco.
We went for a coffee and ended up chatting a lot.
Shows how a simple meeting turned into a long talk.
O vizinho adora dar cavaco quando me vê no corredor.
The neighbor loves to chat when he sees me in the hallway.
Describes a habitual talker in a relatable way.
Desculpe a demora, a minha mãe ligou e demos muito cavaco.
Sorry for the delay, my mom called and we chatted for ages.
Used as an excuse for being late due to a conversation.
Apesar de ser um evento da empresa, demos bastante cavaco sobre viagens.
Despite it being a company event, we chatted quite a bit about travel.
Shows the phrase used for non-work talk in a professional setting.
Olha só o bebê dando cavaco com o espelho!
Look at the baby 'chatting' with the mirror!
Uses the phrase playfully for a baby's babbling.
Foi estranho, mas acabamos dando cavaco por horas sobre o passado.
It was strange, but we ended up chatting for hours about the past.
Reflects a deep, perhaps unexpected, emotional conversation.
自我测试
Choose the correct form of the verb to complete the sentence.
Ontem eu encontrei a Maria e nós ___ muito cavaco.
Since the sentence starts with 'Ontem' (Yesterday), you need the past tense 'demos' for 'nós'.
Which word completes the expression meaning 'to chat'?
Eu não tenho tempo para dar ___ agora, preciso trabalhar.
'Dar cavaco' is the specific idiomatic collocation for having a chat.
🎉 得分： /2
视觉学习工具
Formality levels of 'Dar Cavaco'
Slang like 'trocar uma ideia'
E aí, vamos trocar uma ideia?
Dar cavaco - perfect for friends
Demos muito cavaco ontem.
Conversar - standard term
Nós conversamos por uma hora.
Dialogar - used in serious contexts
É necessário dialogar sobre o projeto.
Where to 'Dar Cavaco'
At the Bakery
Chatting with the baker while buying bread.
Family Dinner
Catching up with cousins over dessert.
Bus Stop
Passing time with a stranger waiting for the bus.
Hair Salon
The classic place for long, gossipy chats.
练习题库
2 练习Ontem eu encontrei a Maria e nós ___ muito cavaco.
Since the sentence starts with 'Ontem' (Yesterday), you need the past tense 'demos' for 'nós'.
Eu não tenho tempo para dar ___ agora, preciso trabalhar.
'Dar cavaco' is the specific idiomatic collocation for having a chat.
🎉 得分： /2
常见问题
10 个问题It literally means 'to give wood shavings'. It's an old expression that evolved into meaning 'to engage in talk'.
Mostly, yes, but dar cavaco is much more informal and implies a longer, more animated exchange than just conversar.
Yes, it is understood in both, though it feels slightly more old-fashioned or regional in some parts of Portugal compared to Brazil.
Not at all! It's friendly. However, saying someone 'não me deu cavaco' means they ignored you, which is a bit negative.
You conjugate the verb dar. For example: eu dou, tu dás, ele dá, nós damos, eles dão.
No, it's too casual. Use reunir or discutir for professional settings instead of dar cavaco.
Not necessarily. While you can gossip while dando cavaco, the phrase itself just means chatting about anything.
The opposite would be ficar calado (staying quiet) or dar um gelo (giving someone the cold shoulder).
It's more common among adults and older generations, but young people still use it ironically or in specific regions.
Absolutely! You can text a friend: 'Depois me liga para a gente dar um cavaco' (Call me later so we can chat).
相关表达
puxar papo (to start a conversation)
jogar conversa fora (to small talk/waste time talking)
bater um papo (to have a chat)
dar trela (to give someone attention/keep them talking)
