A1 Collocation Informel 2 min de lecture

dar liga

to work together

Littéralement: to give binding

Use `dar liga` when a combination of people or things works perfectly together with great chemistry.

En 15 secondes

  • Used when two things or people click or have chemistry.
  • Originally refers to ingredients bonding together in a recipe.
  • Commonly used for romantic couples, friendships, and work teams.

Signification

It describes that magical moment when two things or people click perfectly. It is used when a combination works, whether it is a romantic couple, a business partnership, or even ingredients in a recipe.

Exemples clés

3 sur 6
1

Talking about a new couple

Eles começaram a namorar porque deu liga logo de cara.

They started dating because they clicked right away.

🤝
2

Discussing a work project

Nossa equipe é nova, mas já deu liga.

Our team is new, but we are already working well together.

💼
3

Texting about a party

A festa deu liga quando a música começou!

The party really came together when the music started!

😊
🌍

Contexte culturel

The term originates from culinary and construction textures, specifically the 'binding' property of materials like cement or dough. In Brazil's highly relational culture, it evolved to describe the 'social chemistry' that is considered essential for any successful endeavor.

💡

The 'Vibe' Check

Use 'dar liga' when you want to sound like a local describing chemistry. It's more natural than saying 'temos química'.

⚠️

Don't over-formalize

If you are writing a formal letter to a CEO you don't know, use 'sinergia' instead of 'dar liga'.

En 15 secondes

  • Used when two things or people click or have chemistry.
  • Originally refers to ingredients bonding together in a recipe.
  • Commonly used for romantic couples, friendships, and work teams.

What It Means

Think of dar liga as the glue that holds things together. In cooking, it is when ingredients finally bond into a smooth dough. In life, it is that 'spark' or 'chemistry' between people. It means things are working in harmony. You use it when a project feels effortless. It is that click you feel with a new friend.

How To Use It

You use it like a regular verb. If a couple looks great together, you say they deram liga. If you try a new food combo and it is delicious, it deu liga. It is very versatile. You can use it for people, ideas, or physical objects. It describes the result of a successful mix.

When To Use It

Use it when you meet someone and hit it off immediately. Use it at work when a team is finally performing well. It is perfect for talking about your favorite hobbies. If you are cooking and the sauce thickens perfectly, tell your guests it deu liga. It is a warm, positive expression for success.

When NOT To Use It

Avoid this in very stiff, formal legal documents. Do not use it if something is failing or falling apart. If two people are fighting, they definitely did not dar liga. It implies a positive connection, so do not use it for neutral events. It is a bit too colorful for a funeral or a tragedy. Keep it for the good vibes.

Cultural Background

This phrase comes from the kitchen and construction sites. In Brazil, making brigadeiro or bread requires the right 'binding' to work. If the dough is too crumbly, it lacks liga. Brazilians are very social people. We value chemistry and 'vibe' over almost everything else. This phrase captures that obsession with things feeling 'right' and connected.

Common Variations

You might hear não deu liga when things just do not work out. Some people say dar match nowadays because of dating apps. However, dar liga feels more organic and traditional. It is the original way to describe a perfect connection. It is timeless and used by all generations.

Notes d'usage

The phrase is highly informal but widely accepted in social and creative professional circles. It is always used with the verb 'dar'.

💡

The 'Vibe' Check

Use 'dar liga' when you want to sound like a local describing chemistry. It's more natural than saying 'temos química'.

⚠️

Don't over-formalize

If you are writing a formal letter to a CEO you don't know, use 'sinergia' instead of 'dar liga'.

💬

Culinary Roots

Brazilians love food metaphors. If you use this while cooking, you'll earn instant respect from any Brazilian grandma.

Exemples

6
#1 Talking about a new couple
🤝

Eles começaram a namorar porque deu liga logo de cara.

They started dating because they clicked right away.

Focuses on the romantic chemistry.

#2 Discussing a work project
💼

Nossa equipe é nova, mas já deu liga.

Our team is new, but we are already working well together.

Shows professional harmony.

#3 Texting about a party
😊

A festa deu liga quando a música começou!

The party really came together when the music started!

Describes the atmosphere becoming right.

#4 Cooking a traditional dish
😊

Coloque mais um ovo para a massa dar liga.

Add one more egg so the dough binds together.

The literal, culinary use of the phrase.

#5 A funny mismatch
😄

Eu e a dieta não estamos dando liga hoje.

Me and the diet are not really clicking today.

Humorous way to say you are failing a diet.

#6 Reflecting on a deep friendship
💭

Nossa amizade deu liga desde o primeiro dia.

Our friendship clicked from day one.

Expresses a strong emotional bond.

Teste-toi

Choose the correct form of the verb to say the couple clicked.

Acho que aqueles dois finalmente ___ liga.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : deram

The verb used with 'liga' is always 'dar' (to give).

Complete the sentence to say the project didn't work out.

O projeto era bom, mas não ___ liga entre os sócios.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : deu

In the past tense, 'deu liga' means it worked; 'não deu liga' means it didn't.

🎉 Score : /2

Aides visuelles

Formality of 'Dar Liga'

Slang

Very common among youth.

Deu liga, mano!

Informal

Perfect for friends and family.

A gente deu liga.

Neutral

Safe for most workplaces.

O time deu liga.

Formal

Too casual for a legal contract.

N/A

Where to use 'Dar Liga'

Dar Liga
🍳

Cooking

The dough is perfect.

❤️

Dating

Great first date spark.

🤝

Business

Partnership is thriving.

🎸

Music

The band sounds tight.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It literally means 'to give binding' or 'to provide texture,' referring to how ingredients stick together in a recipe.

Absolutely! It is one of the most common ways to say you had chemistry with someone, like A gente deu muita liga.

Similar, but dar liga feels more natural and less tied to technology. Dar match is specifically for dating apps.

Yes, in a casual or neutral office. You can say O grupo deu liga to mean the team is working well together.

Yes! If you are making meatballs and they aren't falling apart, you can say A carne deu liga.

Just add 'não' before the verb: Não deu liga. For example, O papo não deu liga means the conversation was awkward.

It is much more common in Brazil. In Portugal, they might use funcionar bem or combinar.

It is more of an informal collocation than heavy slang. Everyone from teenagers to grandparents uses it.

Usually no. For clothes, we use combinar. Dar liga is more about the essence or the 'working together' of things.

It is most common in the past tense (deu liga) because you are usually commenting on a result you've observed.

Expressions liées

Bater o santo

To immediately like someone (spiritual/vibes connection).

Combinar

To match or go well together.

Ter química

To have chemistry (more romantic).

Sintonizar

To be on the same wavelength.

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