Ainda bem que é fim de semana!!!

The word “Ainda” is an adverb and it means “still” . “Bem” means “well”. But today we’re going to learn how to use “Ainda bem”  within a sentence.

This expression means “good thing” or “thank goodness” or “how fortunate that…”

Examples:

·        Ainda bem que o chefe não veio hoje. Tenho que terminar o projeto ainda!

        Good thing the boss didn’t come today. I still need to finish the     project!

·        Ainda bem que consegui terminar o projeto ontem!

        Good thing I managed to finish the project yesterday!

·        Ainda bem que está chegando o fim de semana! (Br)

·        Ainda bem que está a chegar o fim de semana! (Pt)

        Thank goodness the weekend is nearly here!

                     
                     BOM FIM DE SEMANA!!!

Proper Etiquette for Greetings and Signing Letters and E-mails in Portuguese

Oftentimes my students ask me what the proper usage is for greetings and signing off professional e-mails. I work with a lot of students  from all sorts of different fields,  and just in case you’re planning on doing business in Brazil or Angola, I think this will serve as a pretty good guide.

For Formal Business/Government Letters:

Greetings –

Exemplo:Prezado Senhor/a (nome) or Estimado Senhor/a (nome):

If you don’t know the person’s name:

Exemplo: “Prezado Senhor/a,” or ”Estimado/a,”( both work)

Also, if it’s more than one person, adding simply “Srs” or “Senhores” to the end of the greeting can work as well.

Exemplo: “Prezados Senhores:”

After greeting them, you might want to follow with what it is you are getting at with the letter.

A good introduction is:

Exemplo: Venho através desta para… – Literally, “I come through this for…” But what it means is ”I am writing this letter to…”

Sign-offs -

Exemplo: Atenciosamente, Grato, Cordialmente,

A “thank you” before signing off is always nice too…

Agradeço-lhe a atenção.

Formal e-mails usually follow the same lines, only things tend to be abbreviated.

Formal E-Mails
Greetings -
Exemplo:Caro, Prezado Sr/a.,

Sign-offs -

Exemplo:Atenciosamente (or Att.) or Grato/a,

Informal E-mails/Letters

I’m personally a big fan of hugs and kisses and smiley faces all around, but I have to be careful as to not send hugs to a client on a first contact. I will usually use one of the greetings above, or simply the person’s name for an informal e-mail. Another greeting can be a simple “Oi (nome) (BR)”  or “ Olá(nome) (PT)”  Sign-offs

If you’re more friendly with your client or coworker, or if it’s a good friend, Abraços, is a good sign-off.

Often end e-mails with Beijos or Beijinhos the same way I would end an informal e-mail to a friend in the US with “Love,”  or “take care”. Just be careful if you’re sending this to a coworker of the opposite sex. They might not take it as friendly as you mean for it to be!!!!!

Boa sorte!!!

Bom dia ! Here, there are the espressions of this week.

embora (though, although,away)

  Muito embora- although

  Embora não gostasse dele...-Though I didn’t like him...


  Ir-se embora- to go away, to leave

Vou embora. – I’m leaving.

Vamos embora.- Let’s go.

Vai-te embora!- Go away!

Hello ! Many students ask me “what is the difference between conseguir and seguir”, below there are some examples. I hope it could be helpful.

Conseguir :

1-to get ; to be able

Eu consigo sempre o que quero. I always get what I want.

Tu consegues escrever um texto. You are able to write a text.

2-to manage; to succeed

Consegui passar no teste. I succeeded in passing the test.

3- can

Não consigo dormir. I can not sleep.

4- to do

Consegui! I did it!

Seguir:

1- to follow

Seguir uma pista. To follow a lead.

Siga-me! Follow me!

3- to go on

Eu vou seguir por aquela estrada velha. I am going to go on that old road.

4- to drive

Pode seguir! You may drive on!

Expressions…

A seguir… Next…

Logo a seguir… Just then…

Quem se segue? Who’s next?

Colloquial expressions in Portuguese.

Today let’s wrap up our week with some very cool and interesting colloquial expressions in Portuguese.

Dois é bom, três é demais. – Two’s company, three’s a crowd!

E agora? – What now?

E aí? – What’s up?

É a sua vez! – It’s your turn!

E daí? – So what?

É isso aí! – That’s it!

É mesmo! É verdade! – You can say that again!

Ele já era! – He’s history!

É por minha conta! – My treat! It´s on me!

É para o seu próprio bem. – It’s for your own good.

Era uma vez… – Once upon a time…

É só uma mentirinha! – It’s only a white lie!

Esta é só a ponta do iceberg! – This is just the tip of the iceberg!

Estou caindo fora! (BR)   Estou fora disso! ( PT)  – I’m out of here!

Estou pouco me lixando! – I don’t give a damn.

É uma droga!(BR) É uma porcaria! ( PT) – It sucks!

Eu também! – Same here!

Eu já vou embora! – I’m out of here!

Fala logo! Desembucha! – Shoot! Speak up!

Fala sério! – Come off it!

Falar é fácil, difícil é fazer! – Easier said than done!

Fique à vontade! – Be my guest!

Foi demais! – It was awesome!

Foi por pouco! Foi por um triz! – That was a close shave!

...According to... (segundo..., de acordo com...)

Hello! Here's your expression of the week from ATLANTICA.

English - ... according to... Portuguese - ...segundo, de acordo com... Exemple: According to what he said yesterday, it is going to rain today. (English) Segundo o que ele disse ontem, hoje vai chover. Brazilian Portuguese/European Portuguese We use more "segundo" when is spoken language and "de acordo com" when is written language (formal or business).

...A BUNCH OF...

Expression of the week

... a bunch of... um monte de

He was carrying a bunch of cans.

Ele estava carregando um monte de latas.(BR)
Ele estava a carregar um monte de latas. (PT)