dar-se mal
to fare badly
حرفيًا: to give oneself badly
Use `dar-se mal` to describe any situation that ended poorly or where someone got into trouble.
في 15 ثانية
- Used when a plan or situation results in a failure.
- Combines the verb 'dar' with a reflexive pronoun and 'mal'.
- Perfect for casual stories, warnings, or admitting a mistake.
المعنى
This phrase describes when things go wrong for you or you fail at something. It is like saying you had a bad outcome, got into trouble, or simply didn't succeed in a specific situation.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Talking about a failed exam
Eu não estudei nada e me dei mal na prova.
I didn't study at all and I did poorly on the test.
Warning a friend about a bad idea
Cuidado, você vai se dar mal se fizer isso.
Be careful, you're going to get into trouble if you do that.
A business deal that went wrong
A empresa investiu na bolsa e deu-se mal.
The company invested in the stock market and fared badly.
خلفية ثقافية
The phrase reflects the Portuguese-speaking world's penchant for storytelling and 'desabafo' (venting). It is often used with a sense of self-deprecating humor, turning a personal failure into a shared social moment. In Brazil, it is particularly common in the 'jeitinho' culture when a shortcut doesn't work out.
The Pronoun Swap
In Brazil, people usually put the 'se' before the verb (`se deu mal`). In Portugal, they often put it after (`deu-se mal`). Both are correct!
Don't forget the 'se'
If you just say 'dar mal', it sounds incomplete. The reflexive 'se' is what makes it about the person experiencing the failure.
في 15 ثانية
- Used when a plan or situation results in a failure.
- Combines the verb 'dar' with a reflexive pronoun and 'mal'.
- Perfect for casual stories, warnings, or admitting a mistake.
What It Means
Dar-se mal is all about negative outcomes. It describes the moment things flip from good to bad. You use it when a plan fails. You use it when you get caught doing something wrong. It covers everything from a bad grade to a social disaster. Think of it as the opposite of 'having a win.'
How To Use It
You need to conjugate the verb dar. Since it is reflexive, you must use the pronoun se. For example, eu me dei mal means 'I messed up.' If you are talking about a group, use nós nos demos mal. It is very flexible with tenses. You can use it for past mistakes or future warnings. It is a workhorse of daily Portuguese conversation.
When To Use It
Use it when sharing a funny story about a failure. It works perfectly when a friend asks how your exam went. You can use it in business if a project fails. It is great for texting when you realize you forgot your keys. Use it when someone gets caught in a lie. It fits any situation where the result is 'not great.'
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this phrase in extremely tragic situations. Do not use it for a death or a serious illness. It can sound too casual or dismissive there. Also, avoid it in very stiff legal documents. It is a bit too 'colorful' for a formal contract. Stick to não ter sucesso in high-level academic writing. Otherwise, it is fair game for most daily life.
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers are often very expressive about their misfortunes. We love to share 'perrengues' or daily struggles. Dar-se mal is the punchline to many of these stories. It reflects a culture that values humility and shared laughter over failure. It is not just about losing; it is about the experience. It has been a staple of the language for generations.
Common Variations
You might hear se dar mal in Brazil. In Portugal, the pronoun often comes after: deu-se mal. A stronger version is dar-se muito mal. Sometimes people just say me dei mal! as a standalone exclamation. It is the universal 'oops' for when things go south. You will hear it in soap operas and soccer matches alike.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
The phrase is neutral to informal. It is perfectly safe for daily conversations, social media, and casual workplace chat, but should be replaced with more precise vocabulary in formal writing.
The Pronoun Swap
In Brazil, people usually put the 'se' before the verb (`se deu mal`). In Portugal, they often put it after (`deu-se mal`). Both are correct!
Don't forget the 'se'
If you just say 'dar mal', it sounds incomplete. The reflexive 'se' is what makes it about the person experiencing the failure.
The 'Schadenfreude' factor
Brazilians often use 'se deu mal' to playfully tease a friend who made a silly mistake, often followed by a laugh.
أمثلة
6Eu não estudei nada e me dei mal na prova.
I didn't study at all and I did poorly on the test.
Common way to express academic failure.
Cuidado, você vai se dar mal se fizer isso.
Be careful, you're going to get into trouble if you do that.
Used here as a cautionary warning.
A empresa investiu na bolsa e deu-se mal.
The company invested in the stock market and fared badly.
Slightly more formal structure (European Portuguese style).
Me dei mal, perdi o ônibus!
I'm in trouble, I missed the bus!
Short, punchy use for a minor daily inconvenience.
Tentei impressionar ela, mas me dei mal.
I tried to impress her, but it went totally wrong.
Self-deprecating humor about a social fail.
Ele mentiu para o chefe e se deu mal.
He lied to the boss and it backfired on him.
Focuses on the consequence of an action.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct reflexive form for 'We fared badly'.
Nós ___ demos mal no jogo de ontem.
The pronoun must match the subject 'Nós' (we).
Complete the sentence to say 'He will fare badly'.
Ele ___ dar mal se não chegar a tempo.
'Ele vai se' is the correct third-person singular future construction.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality Scale of 'Dar-se Mal'
Quebrar a cara (More aggressive)
Ele quebrou a cara!
Daily chat with friends
Me dei mal, cara.
Standard conversation/News
O plano se deu mal.
Professional setting
O projeto não obteve sucesso.
When to say 'Me dei mal!'
School/University
Failing a difficult exam
Romance
A bad first date
Traffic
Getting a speeding ticket
Work
Missing a big deadline
Social
Telling a joke that no one laughs at
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةUsually, yes. It implies that the outcome was negative or that you are now in a difficult position, like Me dei mal com o chefe (I'm in trouble with the boss).
Not typically. For physical injury, you'd use se machucar. Use dar-se mal for the *consequence* of the action that led to the injury.
It depends on the tone. Você se deu mal! can be a playful tease among friends or a harsh 'I told you so' depending on your voice.
The opposite is dar-se bem, which means to succeed or fare well, as in Ela se deu bem no novo emprego (She did well in her new job).
Yes, it is universal across the Lusophone world, though the word order (pronoun placement) might change slightly.
Use the preterite of 'dar'. For example: Ele se deu mal (He fared badly) or Eles se deram mal (They fared badly).
Yes! If you say Eles se dão mal, it means they don't get along or their relationship is a disaster.
It is a bit too informal for an interview. Better to use não tive um bom resultado or tive dificuldades.
No. To say you feel sick, use sentir-se mal. Dar-se mal is about the outcome of an event, not your health.
Forgetting to conjugate the verb dar correctly for the person you are talking about. Always check if it's me, te, se, or nos!
عبارات ذات صلة
dar-se bem
to fare well / to succeed
quebrar a cara
to fall flat on one's face (metaphorically)
entrar numa fria
to get into a mess / bad situation
levar a pior
to get the worst of it
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