botar a orelha em algo
botar one's orelha
بهطور تحتاللفظی: to put the ear in something
Use it when you are listening closely to catch a secret or a subtle detail.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- To listen very intently to something specific.
- Often used when eavesdropping or catching secrets.
- A visual way to say 'pay close attention'.
معنی
This phrase means to pay very close attention or to listen intently to something, often something secret or subtle. It is like physically leaning your ear closer to catch every single detail.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 6Eavesdropping on neighbors
Eu botei a orelha na parede para ouvir a briga dos vizinhos.
I put my ear to the wall to hear the neighbors' fight.
Listening to a secret recording
Bote a orelha nesse áudio e me diga o que você entende.
Listen closely to this audio and tell me what you understand.
In a professional meeting (whispering)
Tentei botar a orelha na conversa do chefe com o RH.
I tried to listen in on the boss's conversation with HR.
زمینه فرهنگی
This idiom stems from the rural and neighborhood traditions of Brazil where 'fofoca' (gossip) is a social currency. It captures the image of someone physically straining to hear a secret, reflecting a society that is highly social and sometimes delightfully nosy. It became popular through soap operas (telenovelas) where characters are often caught eavesdropping.
The 'Botar' vs 'Pôr' debate
In Brazil, `botar` is much more common in spoken language than `pôr`. It sounds more natural and rhythmic in this idiom.
Don't be too literal
If you say this to a doctor, they might think you have an earache! Use it contextually to imply listening.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- To listen very intently to something specific.
- Often used when eavesdropping or catching secrets.
- A visual way to say 'pay close attention'.
What It Means
Imagine you are trying to hear a whisper through a wall. You would literally botar a orelha on the surface. In a broader sense, this idiom means to focus your hearing entirely on a specific source. It suggests curiosity or a need to catch information that isn't being shouted. You are not just hearing; you are actively monitoring.
How To Use It
You use it when you want someone to listen carefully. It works well with the preposition em (in/on). You can say botei a orelha no rádio to hear the news. Or botei a orelha na conversa to eavesdrop. It is a very physical way to describe a mental action. Use it when the sound is faint or the information is juicy.
When To Use It
Use it when you are being a bit nosy with friends. It is perfect for when a neighbor is arguing. Use it at work if you are trying to catch a rumor. It fits perfectly in stories about being a detective. If a song has a hidden message, tell your friend to botar a orelha on that track. It implies a level of effort in listening.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this in a very formal academic paper. It is too visual and colloquial for a legal document. Avoid it if you are just 'hearing' background noise. If you are at a loud concert, you don't botar a orelha; you just get deaf. Also, avoid using it if someone is actually speaking directly to you. It implies the source isn't necessarily meant for your ears only.
Cultural Background
Brazilians are naturally communicative and often very curious about their surroundings. The 'ear' is seen as the gateway to secrets. Historically, walls in older Brazilian houses were thin. People would literally put their ears to the wood to hear the 'fofoca' (gossip). This physical act became a standard metaphor for being observant. It reflects a culture that values knowing what is happening in the community.
Common Variations
You might hear ficar de orelha em pé, which means being alert. Another one is dar ouvidos, which means to believe or listen to advice. Botar a orelha is more about the specific act of trying to capture a sound. Sometimes people say colar a orelha (to glue the ear) for even more intensity. All of these show how much we value a good piece of news!
نکات کاربردی
This is a neutral-to-informal expression. It is perfect for storytelling and casual conversations, but avoid it in formal writing or when speaking to superiors unless the mood is lighthearted.
The 'Botar' vs 'Pôr' debate
In Brazil, `botar` is much more common in spoken language than `pôr`. It sounds more natural and rhythmic in this idiom.
Don't be too literal
If you say this to a doctor, they might think you have an earache! Use it contextually to imply listening.
The Gossip Culture
Brazilians call a gossip-monger a `fofoqueiro`. Using this phrase often implies you are being a bit of a `fofoqueiro`, so use it with a wink!
مثالها
6Eu botei a orelha na parede para ouvir a briga dos vizinhos.
I put my ear to the wall to hear the neighbors' fight.
Classic use for being nosy.
Bote a orelha nesse áudio e me diga o que você entende.
Listen closely to this audio and tell me what you understand.
Focusing on a low-quality sound.
Tentei botar a orelha na conversa do chefe com o RH.
I tried to listen in on the boss's conversation with HR.
Used to describe catching office rumors.
Amiga, botei a orelha na fofoca e descobri tudo!
Girl, I listened in on the gossip and found out everything!
Very common in digital 'fuxico' (gossip).
O mecânico botou a orelha no motor para achar o barulho.
The mechanic listened closely to the engine to find the noise.
Using the ear as a diagnostic tool.
A mãe botou a orelha no peito do bebê para ouvir o coração.
The mother put her ear to the baby's chest to hear the heart.
A literal and tender use of the phrase.
خودت رو بسنج
Complete the sentence to say you are eavesdropping on the conversation.
Eu vou ___ a orelha naquela conversa ali.
The verb `botar` (to put/place) is the core action of this idiom.
Which preposition usually follows the phrase?
Botei a orelha ___ rádio.
We use `em` (plus the article `o` = `no`) to indicate where the ear is being placed.
🎉 امتیاز: /2
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Formality of 'Botar a orelha'
Used with close friends for gossip.
Bota a orelha aqui!
Common everyday storytelling.
Botei a orelha na porta.
Too casual for official speeches.
N/A
Where to 'Botar a orelha'
Thin Walls
Hearing the neighbors.
Secret Audio
Listening to a voice note.
Office Rumors
Catching a meeting whisper.
Mechanics
Hearing a weird engine noise.
سوالات متداول
10 سوالNot necessarily rude, but it implies you are eavesdropping. If you tell someone botei a orelha, you are admitting to being curious about something private.
Yes! If a song has a very quiet intro, you can say bote a orelha para ouvir o baixo (put your ear to it to hear the bass).
Ouvir is just the sense of hearing. Botar a orelha is the active, intentional effort to catch a specific sound.
It is understood, but Brazilians use the verb botar much more frequently. In Portugal, they might prefer encostar o ouvido.
Definitely not. It is too informal and suggests you might be nosy, which isn't a great interview trait!
Mostly, but it can also mean focusing on a technical sound, like a mechanic listening to a car engine.
You can say botar o ouvido, but orelha is more common in this specific idiomatic expression in Brazil.
Yes, botei a orelha (I put my ear) is very common when telling stories about things you overheard.
It is more of an informal idiom than pure slang. Everyone from kids to grandmas uses it.
That would be sou todo ouvidos. Botar a orelha is more about the act of trying to hear something not easily heard.
عبارات مرتبط
Ficar de orelha em pé (To be alert/suspicious)
Entrar por um ouvido e sair pelo outro (In one ear, out the other)
Dar ouvidos (To pay attention/believe someone)
Puxar a orelha (To scold someone)
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