dar a cabeça em algo
dar one's cabeça
Wörtlich: to give the head in something
Use this when you are putting serious mental effort into solving a tricky problem or making a big decision.
In 15 Sekunden
- Thinking very hard about a specific problem or difficult task.
- Used when you are stuck or analyzing a complex situation.
- Implies intense mental effort and a desire for a solution.
Bedeutung
This phrase means you are thinking intensely about a problem or a decision. It is like your brain is working overtime to find a solution or understand something complex.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Solving a math problem
Estou a dar a cabeça neste problema de matemática há duas horas.
I've been breaking my head over this math problem for two hours.
Planning a trip
Não dês tanto a cabeça nisso, o roteiro vai ficar bem.
Don't overthink it so much, the itinerary will be fine.
In a work meeting
Temos de dar a cabeça a este projeto para encontrar uma solução.
We have to put our heads together on this project to find a solution.
Kultureller Hintergrund
This expression highlights the Mediterranean and Lusophone value of persistence. It suggests that intellectual work is just as taxing as physical labor. It has been a staple of the language for decades, evolving from the idea of 'hitting' a problem with your mind until it breaks open.
The Brazilian Twist
If you are in Brazil, you will hear 'quebrar a cabeça' (break the head) much more often than 'dar a cabeça'. They are interchangeable!
Don't get physical
Remember, this is purely mental. If you actually hit your head on a door, use the verb 'bater' (bater com a cabeça).
In 15 Sekunden
- Thinking very hard about a specific problem or difficult task.
- Used when you are stuck or analyzing a complex situation.
- Implies intense mental effort and a desire for a solution.
What It Means
Imagine your brain is a hammer and the problem is a stubborn nail. When you dar a cabeça em algo, you are focusing all your mental energy on one specific thing. It is that feeling when you cannot stop thinking about a puzzle. You are not just thinking; you are deeply analyzing. It implies a bit of struggle or heavy mental effort. You are trying to crack the code of a situation.
How To Use It
You use this phrase when you are stuck on a task. Use it with the preposition em or a to show the target. For example, Estou a dar a cabeça nisto means 'I am breaking my head over this.' It works perfectly for schoolwork, work projects, or life decisions. You can use it in the past tense to show you finally figured it out. It is a very active, dynamic way to describe thinking.
When To Use It
Use it when you are talking to a colleague about a bug in the code. Use it when telling a friend about a difficult choice you have to make. It is great for those 'Aha!' moments after a long time thinking. Use it when you want to show someone you are taking a matter seriously. It sounds natural in almost any conversation about problem-solving. It is the perfect 'busy' phrase.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for simple, everyday thoughts. You do not dar a cabeça to decide what to eat for lunch. Avoid it in very high-level academic writing; use refletir instead. It is not for physical pain, even though it mentions the head. If you have a headache, just say tenho dor de cabeça. Do not use it if you are relaxed and not thinking at all.
Cultural Background
Portuguese culture values the 'effort' of thinking. There is a certain pride in working hard on a problem. This phrase reflects the 'mão na massa' (hands-on) attitude, but for your brain. It is common in both Portugal and Brazil, though the preposition might change slightly. It shows that you are not lazy with your thoughts. It is a very human, relatable expression of mental labor.
Common Variations
You might hear quebrar a cabeça, which is even more common in Brazil. Both mean roughly the same thing. Some people say dar voltas à cabeça, which means your head is spinning with thoughts. In Portugal, dar cabo da cabeça means something is driving you crazy. Stick to dar a cabeça em algo for focused problem-solving. It makes you sound like a dedicated, thoughtful person.
Nutzungshinweise
This idiom is safe for most social and professional situations. Just be careful not to confuse it with 'dar cabo da cabeça', which means to annoy someone or ruin something.
The Brazilian Twist
If you are in Brazil, you will hear 'quebrar a cabeça' (break the head) much more often than 'dar a cabeça'. They are interchangeable!
Don't get physical
Remember, this is purely mental. If you actually hit your head on a door, use the verb 'bater' (bater com a cabeça).
The 'Voltas' variation
If you say 'dar voltas à cabeça', it implies you are worrying or overthinking to the point of anxiety, rather than just solving a problem.
Beispiele
6Estou a dar a cabeça neste problema de matemática há duas horas.
I've been breaking my head over this math problem for two hours.
Shows the duration and intensity of the effort.
Não dês tanto a cabeça nisso, o roteiro vai ficar bem.
Don't overthink it so much, the itinerary will be fine.
Used here as advice to stop worrying.
Temos de dar a cabeça a este projeto para encontrar uma solução.
We have to put our heads together on this project to find a solution.
Encourages collective brainstorming.
Ainda estou a dar a cabeça naquilo que me disseste ontem.
I'm still thinking hard about what you told me yesterday.
Shows the person's words had a deep impact.
Dei a cabeça neste armário e ainda sobraram três parafusos!
I broke my head over this wardrobe and there are still three screws left!
Uses humor to describe a common frustrating task.
Ela deu muito a cabeça antes de decidir mudar de país.
She thought long and hard before deciding to move countries.
Reflects a life-changing decision process.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct preposition to complete the phrase.
Parei de dar a cabeça ___ assunto porque não havia solução.
We use 'no' (em + o) to indicate the object of our intense thinking.
Which verb fits the idiom for 'thinking hard'?
Preciso de ___ a cabeça neste contrato antes de assinar.
'Dar a cabeça' is the standard idiomatic expression for this context.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality of 'Dar a cabeça'
Too informal for this phrase.
N/A
Perfect for friends and family.
Estou a dar a cabeça nisto!
Safe for work colleagues.
Vamos dar a cabeça ao plano.
Better to use 'Refletir' or 'Analisar'.
Devemos analisar o caso.
When to use 'Dar a cabeça'
Complex Work Task
Solving a bug
Big Life Choice
Buying a house
Puzzles/Games
Crossword puzzles
Relationship Issues
Understanding a fight
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it is strictly about thinking hard. For a headache, say estou com dor de cabeça.
Yes, it is neutral enough for a workplace, especially if you have a good relationship. It shows you are working hard on a problem.
Yes, quebrar a cabeça is a very common synonym, particularly in Brazil. Both mean to struggle with a difficult thought.
Usually em (nisto, naquele) or a (a isto). For example: dar a cabeça ao problema.
Not at all! It is used daily by people of all ages in Portugal and Brazil.
It might sound a bit dramatic. Use it for things that actually require effort, not simple choices.
Pensar is just thinking. Dar a cabeça implies a struggle, a challenge, or a deep dive into a topic.
Yes! Dei muito a cabeça nisso means you spent a lot of time thinking about it in the past.
It is used in both, but quebrar a cabeça is slightly more dominant in Brazil, while dar a cabeça is very common in Portugal.
No, it just describes the process of trying. Whether you succeed or not depends on the rest of the sentence!
Verwandte Redewendungen
Quebrar a cabeça
To break one's head (think very hard).
Dar voltas à cabeça
To have one's head spinning with thoughts/worries.
Estar com a cabeça cheia
To have a full head (to be stressed/overwhelmed).
Meter a cabeça em algo
To put one's head into something (to focus/immerse).
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