Do you wonder how to get your point across in Portuguese? Discover the fascinating ways Portuguese speakers confirm or reject ideas. In fact, Brazilians barely even utter the word “sim” in everyday speech, preferring to mirror the verb instead.
For example, someone offers you a tea:
“Você quer um chá?” (Do you want a tea?)
“Quero”. (I want)
To confirm Portuguese speakers mirror the verb in the affirmative. Much like this example of shunning the humble “sim”, Brazilians have devised a colourful array of responses to show both agreement and disagreement in Portuguese.
Explore our comprehensive guide below to learn how to express agreement or disagreement like a native, complete with examples and useful phrases. Not sure where you stand? Our guide also includes a section for staying impartial. Don’t let language barriers hold you back from expressing yourself in Portuguese!”
Agreeing To Do Something in Portuguese
Portuguese | Literal Translation | Meaning in English | Example |
fechado | closed | it’s a deal | “Quer tomar uma hoje?” “Fechado” |
combinado | combined | agreed | “Quer tomar uma hoje?” “Combinado” |
certo | correct | ok or sure | “Posso mandar o projecto amanhã?” “Certo!” |
beleza | beautiful | cool | “Churrasco esse sábado na minha casa?” “Beleza!” |
tá bom | it is good | ok | “Estou atrasado então vamos encontrar às 7 horas?” “tá bom” |
Declining To Do Something in Portuguese
Portuguese | Literal Translation | Meaning in English | Example |
não vai dar | it will not give | it’s not going to work or it’s not possible | “Vamos para a festa do Miguel hoje á noite?” “Hoje não vai dá porque tenho que trabalhar cedo amanhã.” |
na próxima | in the next | next time | “Quer assistir o jogo de futebol com a gente?” “Na próxima, vou para casa agora.” |
essa vez não | this time no | Not this time | “Quer jogar tênis de novo no clube” “Esse vez não, porque não trouxe os sapatos certos” |
não quero | I don’t want | I don’t want to (get straight to the point!) | “Quer pegar um Uber?” “Não quero, vou de ônibus.” |

Agreeing or Disagreeing with an Opinion in Portuguese
Agree in Portuguese | English | Disagree in Portuguese | English |
concordo | I agree | discordo | I disagree |
estou de acordo | I agree | não concordo | I disagree |
está certo | that’s right or correct | não está certo | that’s incorrect |
tem razão | you’re right | não tem razão | you’re not right |
faz sentido | it makes sense | não faz sentido | it doesn’t make sense |
claro | of course |
Other Interjections to Show Support
é verdade | that’s true |
exatamente | exactly |
absolutamente | absolutely |
totalmente | totally |
sem dúvida | no doubt / without doubt |
com certeza | definitely |
Interjections to Show You Disagree in Portuguese
Portuguese | English |
duvido | I doubt it |
duvido que … + subjunctive | I doubt that … |
sem chance | no way |
nunca | never |
de jeito nenhum | in no way / no way |
When You Don’t Know
Sei lá | I don’t know |
Não sei | I don’t know |
Não faço ideia | I have no idea |