estar no chinelo
To be inferior
Wörtlich: To be in the slipper
Use this to playfully claim one thing is vastly superior to another in casual conversation.
In 15 Sekunden
- Used to say one thing is way better than another.
- Compares something high-quality to a humble house slipper.
- Common in sports, food reviews, and friendly bragging.
Bedeutung
This phrase is used to say that something or someone is much better than another. If person A makes person B 'stay in the slipper,' it means person A is vastly superior in that moment.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Comparing two restaurants
A pizza daquela padaria deixa a do shopping no chinelo.
The pizza from that bakery leaves the mall's pizza in the dust.
Talking about a talented friend
Você toca violão tão bem que me deixou no chinelo!
You play guitar so well that you put me to shame!
Professional but relaxed setting
O novo software deixa a versão antiga no chinelo.
The new software is way better than the old version.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase stems from the idea that slippers are the most basic, informal footwear. In a society that often values status and 'showing up,' being relegated to a slipper implies you aren't even in the race. It became popular as a humorous way to trash-talk in sports and cooking.
Use it to compliment
Don't just use it to brag! Telling someone 'Você me deixou no chinelo' is a very high compliment for their skills.
Watch the 'Deixar' vs 'Estar'
Use `deixar` when one thing beats another. Use `estar` to describe the one that is currently losing/inferior.
In 15 Sekunden
- Used to say one thing is way better than another.
- Compares something high-quality to a humble house slipper.
- Common in sports, food reviews, and friendly bragging.
What It Means
Imagine you are wearing fancy shoes. Suddenly, someone walks in with even better ones. You feel like you are just wearing old slippers. That is the vibe here. Estar no chinelo means to be overshadowed. It implies that one thing is clearly inferior to another. It is not just about being 'bad.' It is about the comparison. One thing is so good it makes the other look tiny.
How To Use It
You usually use the verb deixar (to leave) or estar (to be). If you say O meu carro deixa o seu no chinelo, you are bragging. You are saying your car is way better. You can use it for skills, objects, or even experiences. It is a punchy way to settle a comparison. Use it when the difference in quality is obvious to everyone.
When To Use It
Use it when talking about your favorite pizza place. Use it when comparing two football players. It is perfect for friendly debates. You might use it while texting a friend about a new movie. 'The sequel leaves the original in the slipper!' It works well in casual office chats too. Just make sure the 'loser' in the comparison won't take it too personally.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this in a formal performance review. Your boss might not appreciate being told their strategy is 'in the slipper.' Avoid it in very solemn or sad situations. It has a light, almost competitive energy. If you are at a funeral, keep the slippers out of it. Also, do not use it if the difference is only slight. It is for big gaps in quality.
Cultural Background
Brazilians love slippers (chinelos). They are the ultimate casual footwear. In this idiom, the slipper represents something humble or low-status. If you are 'in the slipper,' you are in the 'home-wear' category while others are dressed for the gala. It reflects the Brazilian habit of using everyday objects to describe complex social hierarchies. It is a very visual and relatable metaphor for everyone.
Common Variations
You will often hear deixar alguém no chinelo. This is the active version. It means 'to outshine someone.' Sometimes people just say ficou no chinelo to describe the result. It is common across all of Brazil. No matter where you go, people will know you are talking about being outclassed.
Nutzungshinweise
This is a quintessential informal expression. It's safe for friends and family, but avoid it in high-stakes professional environments where precise, formal language is expected.
Use it to compliment
Don't just use it to brag! Telling someone 'Você me deixou no chinelo' is a very high compliment for their skills.
Watch the 'Deixar' vs 'Estar'
Use `deixar` when one thing beats another. Use `estar` to describe the one that is currently losing/inferior.
The Havaianas connection
Even though Havaianas are world-famous now, the 'chinelo' in this phrase refers to the old-school, cheap house slippers your grandma might wear.
Beispiele
6A pizza daquela padaria deixa a do shopping no chinelo.
The pizza from that bakery leaves the mall's pizza in the dust.
Comparing food quality is the most common use.
Você toca violão tão bem que me deixou no chinelo!
You play guitar so well that you put me to shame!
A friendly way to compliment someone's superior skill.
O novo software deixa a versão antiga no chinelo.
The new software is way better than the old version.
Focuses on product improvement rather than insulting people.
O segundo filme deixou o primeiro no chinelo, né?
The second movie was way better than the first, right?
Great for quick opinions in messages.
Meu brigadeiro deixa qualquer um no chinelo.
My brigadeiro puts everyone else's to shame.
Playful self-promotion.
Eu achei que era bom no FIFA, mas ele me deixou no chinelo.
I thought I was good at FIFA, but he totally outclassed me.
Used when someone is much more skilled than you.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct verb to complete the expression of superiority.
O novo celular ___ o modelo do ano passado no chinelo.
The verb `deixar` (to leave) is used to show that one thing has surpassed another.
Complete the sentence to say your mom's food is the best.
A comida da minha mãe deixa qualquer restaurante no ___.
The fixed idiom uses `chinelo` (slipper) to represent the inferior position.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality Scale of 'Estar no chinelo'
Very street-level
Tá no chinelo, mano!
Friends and family
Isso deixa o outro no chinelo.
Casual office talk
A nova proposta deixa a anterior no chinelo.
Avoid using here
N/A
Where to use 'Estar no chinelo'
Sports
Comparing players
Cooking
Best recipes
Technology
Phone upgrades
Talents
Singing or dancing
Häufig gestellte Fragen
11 FragenIt literally means 'to be in the slipper.' It suggests being in a humble, inferior position compared to something grander.
Not necessarily. It is a comparison. If you say a movie is no chinelo, you are just saying it's not as good as another one.
Only if the vibe is very casual. It's better to use superior or melhor in formal presentations.
No, even if you are comparing many things, the word chinelo stays singular in the expression.
The verb deixar is most common, as in deixar alguém no chinelo (to leave someone in the slipper).
No, it's very common for objects like carros, celulares, or comida.
No, it is widely understood and used throughout all of Brazil.
No, the expression is fixed with chinelo. Using sandália would sound very strange.
You can say Ele me deixa no chinelo.
It's a classic idiom. It's not 'trendy' slang, but it's definitely not outdated; people use it every day.
You could use dar um banho, which means to vastly outperform someone.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Dar um banho
To vastly outperform or outclass someone.
Ser fichinha
To be easy or insignificant in comparison.
Não chegar aos pés
To not even come close to the quality of something else.
Dar de dez a zero
To beat someone by a huge margin (literally 10 to 0).
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