bem mau negócio

You use it as a predicate to describe an event or a purchase. You will usually see it following the verb ser (to be). For example, Isso foi um bem mau negócio. It is punchy and direct. It tells the listener that the value exchange was completely off-balance. Use it when you feel like you have been cheated or made a tactical error.

Use it when discussing finances, like a stock that crashed or a pricey meal that tasted like cardboard. It is also great for social situations. If you traded a quiet night for a loud party that got rained out, that is a bem mau negócio. It works perfectly in meetings when a proposal lacks logic. Use it when you want to sound decisive about a failure.

Avoid using this if someone is genuinely grieving a serious loss. It sounds a bit too much like a financial audit for a tragedy. Don't use it for tiny, insignificant things like dropping a pen. That is just a mistake, not a 'business deal.' Also, be careful using it directly to a salesperson's face unless you want a confrontation. It is quite a strong critique of their offer.

Portuguese culture has a long history of trade and seafaring. Because of this, 'business' metaphors are everywhere in the language. Even personal relationships or weekend plans are viewed through the lens of a 'deal.' If it doesn't bring joy or profit, it is a bad trade. Brazilians and Portuguese people alike value being 'esperto' (clever), so admitting to a mau negócio is a sign of humble honesty.

You might hear péssimo negócio for something even worse. If you want to be more informal, you can say furada, which literally means a 'puncture.' In Portugal, people might simply say grande barrete. However, bem mau negócio remains the most versatile version. It balances being descriptive without being overly dramatic or too slangy.