não forte chuva
heavy rain
Literalmente: strong rain
Use 'chuva forte' to describe any rain intense enough to require an umbrella or cause traffic.
En 15 segundos
- Describes heavy, intense rainfall or a significant downpour.
- Used in both casual conversation and official weather reports.
- Often used as a valid social excuse for being late.
Significado
This phrase describes a heavy, intense downpour of rain. It is the standard way to talk about a storm that makes you want to stay indoors with a blanket.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Checking the weather forecast
O rádio disse que teremos chuva forte à tarde.
The radio said we will have heavy rain in the afternoon.
Explaining why you are late to a dinner
Desculpe o atraso, peguei uma chuva forte no caminho.
Sorry I'm late, I caught some heavy rain on the way.
Texting a friend to stay home
Não saia agora, está caindo uma chuva forte!
Don't go out now, a heavy rain is falling!
Contexto cultural
In Brazil, 'chuva forte' often leads to the tradition of eating 'bolinho de chuva' (rain cakes), which are fried dough balls with cinnamon. The phrase is also a common 'social lubricant' used to start conversations or excuse tardiness in rain-prone cities like São Paulo.
The 'Cair' Connection
Brazilians rarely say 'it is raining heavily'. They say 'a heavy rain is falling' (`está caindo uma chuva forte`). Use the verb `cair` to sound like a local.
The Snack Signal
If you are at a Brazilian's house during a `chuva forte`, don't be surprised if they start making `bolinho de chuva`. It's the ultimate comfort ritual.
En 15 segundos
- Describes heavy, intense rainfall or a significant downpour.
- Used in both casual conversation and official weather reports.
- Often used as a valid social excuse for being late.
What It Means
Chuva forte is the most common way to describe a heavy downpour. It isn't just a light drizzle. It is the kind of rain that makes visibility difficult. In Brazil or Portugal, this usually implies a tropical storm or a winter gale. You use it when the sky opens up completely.
How To Use It
You can use it as a simple noun phrase. It often follows verbs like está caindo or está vindo. You can also say peguei uma chuva forte when you get soaked. It is a very versatile and essential weather term. Don't worry about complex grammar here. Just pair it with a verb of movement or existence.
When To Use It
Use it when you are checking the weather forecast. It is perfect for warning a friend not to drive. Use it when you arrive late to a meeting. It serves as a valid excuse for almost anything in Brazil. If the streets are flooding, this is your go-to phrase. It works in professional emails and casual texts alike.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for a light sprinkle. For that, use chuvisco or garoa. If it is a literal hurricane, chuva forte might be an understatement. Avoid using it if the rain is just consistent but light. It implies power and volume. If you can still see the sun, it probably isn't chuva forte yet.
Cultural Background
In many Portuguese-speaking regions, rain dictates the social rhythm. In cities like Rio or São Paulo, chuva forte means immediate traffic chaos. People often use it as a bonding topic. Everyone loves to complain about the 'strong rain' together. It is the ultimate icebreaker in an elevator. It also signals a time for comfort food like bolinho de chuva.
Common Variations
You might hear tempestade for a full-blown storm. Some people say toró in Brazil for a sudden heavy rain. Pé d'água is another very common informal way to say the same thing. If it's really extreme, you can say chuva torrencial. However, chuva forte remains the most balanced and common choice.
Notas de uso
The phrase is perfectly safe for all registers. In speech, the adjective 'forte' usually follows the noun. In written news, you might see 'forte chuva' for stylistic emphasis.
The 'Cair' Connection
Brazilians rarely say 'it is raining heavily'. They say 'a heavy rain is falling' (`está caindo uma chuva forte`). Use the verb `cair` to sound like a local.
The Snack Signal
If you are at a Brazilian's house during a `chuva forte`, don't be surprised if they start making `bolinho de chuva`. It's the ultimate comfort ritual.
Don't confuse with 'Garoa'
In São Paulo, they love the word `garoa` (drizzle). If you call a `garoa` a `chuva forte`, locals will think you're being overly dramatic!
Ejemplos
6O rádio disse que teremos chuva forte à tarde.
The radio said we will have heavy rain in the afternoon.
A standard way to report weather news.
Desculpe o atraso, peguei uma chuva forte no caminho.
Sorry I'm late, I caught some heavy rain on the way.
A very relatable and accepted excuse.
Não saia agora, está caindo uma chuva forte!
Don't go out now, a heavy rain is falling!
Using 'caindo' (falling) makes it sound very natural.
A chuva forte quebrou o telhado da vizinha.
The heavy rain broke the neighbor's roof.
Used here to describe the power of the weather.
Esse guarda-chuva não aguenta uma chuva forte dessas!
This umbrella can't handle a heavy rain like this!
Highlighting the inadequacy of the gear.
O evento foi cancelado devido à chuva forte.
The event was canceled due to heavy rain.
Standard formal phrasing for logistics.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the best word to describe a powerful storm.
Ontem à noite caiu uma ___ que alagou a rua.
Only 'chuva forte' (heavy rain) is intense enough to flood (alagar) a street.
Complete the sentence to warn someone about the weather.
Leve o guarda-chuva, a previsão é de ___.
You need an umbrella (guarda-chuva) specifically for rain.
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Ayudas visuales
Formality of 'Chuva Forte'
Used with friends (often replaced by 'toró')
Caiu o maior toró!
The standard way to speak in any situation.
Está vindo uma chuva forte.
Used in news reports or documents.
Previsão de chuva forte para amanhã.
When to say 'Chuva Forte'
Weather App
Alert: Chuva forte em 10 min
Work Meeting
The internet is slow due to the rain
At Home
Close the windows!
Driving
Visibility is zero
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend without changing a thing.
Chuva forte refers to the water volume, while tempestade usually implies wind, thunder, and lightning too.
Yes, muita chuva (a lot of rain) is very common, but chuva forte emphasizes the intensity and power of the drops.
You can say está caindo um toró (informal) or está chovendo canivetes (it's raining pocketknives—very idiomatic).
Yes, it is standard across all Portuguese-speaking countries, though slang for it varies regionally.
The verb cair (to fall) or vir (to come) are the most natural. For example: Vem vindo uma chuva forte.
No, it only refers to the weather. Using it for a person wouldn't make sense in Portuguese.
The opposite is chuva fraca (weak rain) or chuva leve (light rain).
Both are correct. Chuva forte is more common in speech, while forte chuva sounds slightly more poetic or journalistic.
In tropical climates, rain is sudden and dramatic, often changing daily plans, so it's a constant topic of conversation.
Frases relacionadas
Pé d'água
A sudden, very heavy downpour (informal)
Chuva torrencial
Torrential rain (formal/scientific)
Tempestade
Storm (includes wind/thunder)
Garoa
Drizzle or light mist
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