não ter papas na língua
To be blunt
حرفيًا: Not to have papas (porridge/mush) on the tongue
Use it to describe someone who is refreshingly—or annoyingly—honest and never holds back their opinion.
في 15 ثانية
- Used for people who speak their mind without any filters.
- Describes blunt, direct, and sometimes brutally honest communication.
- Comes from the idea of having a tongue free of obstructions.
المعنى
This phrase describes someone who says exactly what they think without filtering it. It's for that friend who is brutally honest and doesn't sugarcoat the truth.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Describing a blunt friend
A Julia não tem papas na língua, ela disse que meu vestido era feio.
Julia is very blunt; she said my dress was ugly.
Talking about a bold politician
Gosto dele porque ele não tem papas na língua durante os debates.
I like him because he doesn't mince words during debates.
Warning someone about a relative
Cuidado com a vovó, ela não tem papas na língua!
Watch out for grandma, she speaks her mind!
خلفية ثقافية
The expression dates back centuries to when 'papas' (porridge) was a staple food. If your tongue was coated in it, you couldn't speak clearly; thus, having a 'clean' tongue meant speaking freely. It reflects a cultural value in Lusophone societies that oscillates between high-context politeness and the 'sincerocídio' (sincerity-suicide) of being too honest.
The 'Sem' Variation
You can use 'sem papas na língua' as an adverbial phrase to describe *how* someone said something, like 'Ele falou sem papas na língua'.
Don't be too literal
Never use this to talk about actual food on someone's tongue. People will just think you're being weirdly specific about their eating habits!
في 15 ثانية
- Used for people who speak their mind without any filters.
- Describes blunt, direct, and sometimes brutally honest communication.
- Comes from the idea of having a tongue free of obstructions.
What It Means
Imagine your tongue is perfectly clear and ready to move fast. You don't have any sticky porridge or papas slowing you down. That is the essence of não ter papas na língua. It describes a person who is direct, blunt, and often fearless. They don't hesitate to speak the truth, even if it's uncomfortable. It is about transparency and a lack of social filters.
How To Use It
You use this phrase to describe a personality trait or a specific moment of honesty. You can say someone não tem papas na língua as a general rule. Or, you can use it after someone drops a truth bomb in a meeting. It usually follows the verb ter (to have). Just remember to conjugate ter to match the person you are talking about. It’s a great way to warn someone about a blunt relative!
When To Use It
Use it when you want to praise someone's honesty or complain about their rudeness. It fits perfectly when discussing a politician who speaks their mind. It’s great for describing a grandmother who tells you that you've gained weight. Use it with friends when gossiping about a mutual acquaintance's bold behavior. It works well in casual debates or when reviewing a very honest movie critic. If someone says what everyone is thinking but afraid to say, this is your phrase.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this in a very formal performance review with your boss. It might sound a bit too casual or even slightly accusatory. Don't use it if you are trying to be extremely diplomatic yourself. It’s not a phrase for delicate, high-stakes negotiations where silence is golden. Also, don't confuse it with being a liar; it’s the exact opposite. If someone is being quiet or shy, this phrase definitely doesn't apply.
Cultural Background
The word papas refers to a thick mash or porridge, common in old Iberian diets. Historically, if you had physical sores or 'mush' on your tongue, your speech would be hindered. Over time, this evolved into a metaphor for mental or social filters. In Portuguese culture, there is a mix of extreme politeness and sudden, shocking bluntness. This phrase captures that moment when the politeness ends and the raw truth begins. It’s a deeply rooted expression found across all Portuguese-speaking countries.
Common Variations
You might hear people say sem papas na língua to describe the act itself. For example, "Ele falou tudo, sem papas na língua." In some regions, you might hear não ter pelos na língua (not having hairs on the tongue). This variation is more common in Spain but occasionally pops up in Portugal. Both versions mean the same thing: nothing is stopping the words from coming out. Stick to the papas version for the most authentic Brazilian or Portuguese feel.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
This is a neutral-to-informal idiom. It is widely understood across all age groups and social classes. The main 'gotcha' is the verb conjugation of `ter`, especially in the third person plural (`têm`).
The 'Sem' Variation
You can use 'sem papas na língua' as an adverbial phrase to describe *how* someone said something, like 'Ele falou sem papas na língua'.
Don't be too literal
Never use this to talk about actual food on someone's tongue. People will just think you're being weirdly specific about their eating habits!
The Sincerity Trap
In Brazil, being 'sincero' is a virtue, but 'não ter papas na língua' can sometimes be a polite way of saying someone is actually a bit rude.
أمثلة
6A Julia não tem papas na língua, ela disse que meu vestido era feio.
Julia is very blunt; she said my dress was ugly.
Used here to describe a friend's direct (and slightly rude) honesty.
Gosto dele porque ele não tem papas na língua durante os debates.
I like him because he doesn't mince words during debates.
Shows admiration for someone's directness in a public setting.
Cuidado com a vovó, ela não tem papas na língua!
Watch out for grandma, she speaks her mind!
A humorous warning about an elderly person's lack of filter.
O chefe estava sem papas na língua hoje. Levamos uma bronca!
The boss was pulling no punches today. We got a scolding!
Used to describe a superior being very direct and critical.
Eu não tenho papas na língua, se eu não gostar, eu falo.
I don't sugarcoat things; if I don't like it, I'll say so.
A personal declaration of one's honest character.
Aquele crítico não tem papas na língua ao falar de filmes ruins.
That critic is brutal when talking about bad movies.
Describes professional honesty that is sharp and direct.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct verb to complete the idiom.
Ela é muito sincera, ela não ___ papas na língua.
The idiom always uses the verb 'ter' (to have).
Which word is missing in this common expression?
Falei a verdade mesmo, sem ___ na língua.
'Papas' (porridge/mush) is the key noun in this idiom.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality of 'Não ter papas na língua'
Too structured for pure slang.
N/A
Perfect for friends and family talk.
Minha tia não tem papas na língua.
Acceptable in casual office talk.
O cliente não teve papas na língua.
Too idiomatic for official documents.
N/A
When to use 'Não ter papas na língua'
Family Dinner
Grandma critiquing the food.
Work Meeting
A colleague calling out a bad idea.
Dating
Being honest about a bad date.
Politics
A candidate speaking bluntly.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةIt means porridge or mush. In this context, it represents something sticky that would stop your tongue from moving freely.
It depends on the tone! It can be a compliment for someone's honesty or a complaint about someone being rude and unfiltered.
Probably not. It's a bit too informal. Instead, use ser direto or ser franco to sound more professional.
The meaning is identical in both countries. It is one of those classic idioms that survived the Atlantic crossing perfectly.
No, that would be funny but wrong! Even though 'papas' can look like 'batatas' (potatoes), the idiom specifically requires papas.
You change the verb ter. So it becomes Eles não têm papas na língua.
Close, but it's more about the *way* you speak—without hesitation or filtering. You can speak the truth politely, but if you have papas na língua, you aren't being polite.
A good opposite would be medir as palavras (to measure one's words), which means being very careful about what you say.
Yes, in informal writing like blogs, texts, or stories. Avoid it in academic or legal Portuguese.
Absolutely! Kids are the masters of não ter papas na língua because they haven't learned social filters yet.
عبارات ذات صلة
Falar na lata
To say something directly to someone's face.
Sem rodeios
Without beating around the bush.
Dizer as verdades
To tell the hard truths.
Curto e grosso
Short and blunt (usually slightly rude).
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