Está abaixo do esperado
Littéralement: It is below the expected
Use this phrase to politely express disappointment when quality or performance doesn't meet your initial expectations.
En 15 secondes
- Used to express that something failed to meet a specific standard.
- Perfect for professional feedback or polite complaints about services.
- Sounds objective and calm rather than overly emotional or aggressive.
Signification
This phrase is used to say that something didn't meet your expectations or fell short of a certain standard. It is the go-to way to express disappointment or a lack of quality in a polite but firm manner.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Reviewing a report
O relatório está abaixo do esperado para este nível.
The report is below what was expected for this level.
Eating at a famous restaurant
A comida estava boa, mas um pouco abaixo do esperado.
The food was good, but a bit below expectations.
Texting about a movie
O final do filme ficou bem abaixo do esperado, né?
The end of the movie was way below expectations, right?
Contexte culturel
In Lusophone cultures, direct criticism can sometimes be seen as aggressive. Using 'abaixo do esperado' allows the speaker to maintain a level of professional distance and objectivity, making it a staple in corporate environments in São Paulo and Lisbon alike.
The 'Muito' Booster
If you are really disappointed, add 'muito' (very) or 'bem' (well/quite) before 'abaixo'. It adds weight without making you sound angry.
Don't confuse with 'embaixo'
Never say 'embaixo do esperado'. 'Embaixo' is for physical things, like a cat under a table. 'Abaixo' is for abstract levels.
En 15 secondes
- Used to express that something failed to meet a specific standard.
- Perfect for professional feedback or polite complaints about services.
- Sounds objective and calm rather than overly emotional or aggressive.
What It Means
Está abaixo do esperado is your bread and butter for expressing disappointment. It literally means something is 'below the expected.' It suggests there was a bar set, and whatever happened just didn't clear it. It is not necessarily an insult. It is more of a factual observation of a gap in quality. Think of it as the polite version of 'this sucks.'
How To Use It
You can use it for almost anything. Use it for a cold meal at a restaurant. Use it for a movie that had a great trailer but a boring plot. You can even use it for your own performance. Just pair está (it is) or ficou (it turned out) with the phrase. It is very flexible and grammatically simple.
When To Use It
This is perfect for professional settings. Use it during a performance review. Use it when a project delivery lacks detail. In your personal life, use it when a service fails you. If your hotel room is dusty, this phrase is your best friend. It sounds objective rather than emotional. It helps you complain without sounding like you are throwing a tantrum.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for extreme disasters. If a house burns down, saying it is abaixo do esperado sounds sarcastic or weirdly cold. Also, avoid it in very intimate emotional moments. If a friend forgets your birthday, don't use this technical language. It makes you sound like a robot. Stick to expressing your feelings directly in those cases.
Cultural Background
Brazilians and Portuguese people often value 'jeitinho' and politeness. We don't always like direct confrontation. This phrase provides a 'safe' way to criticize. It uses the passive voice (esperado) to soften the blow. It focuses on the 'result' rather than the 'person.' It’s a very 'civilized' way to show you are unhappy with something.
Common Variations
You might hear deixou a desejar which means 'left something to be desired.' Another one is não foi o que eu imaginei (it wasn't what I imagined). If you want to be more casual, you could say foi meio caído. But abaixo do esperado remains the most versatile version for any adult situation.
Notes d'usage
This phrase is highly versatile across all registers. It is safe for work but natural enough for a dinner conversation. Avoid using it for physical locations; it is strictly for measuring quality or quantity against a mental or set standard.
The 'Muito' Booster
If you are really disappointed, add 'muito' (very) or 'bem' (well/quite) before 'abaixo'. It adds weight without making you sound angry.
Don't confuse with 'embaixo'
Never say 'embaixo do esperado'. 'Embaixo' is for physical things, like a cat under a table. 'Abaixo' is for abstract levels.
The Softener
Brazilians often add 'um pouco' (a little) even when they are very disappointed, just to keep the conversation friendly.
Exemples
6O relatório está abaixo do esperado para este nível.
The report is below what was expected for this level.
A professional way to give constructive criticism.
A comida estava boa, mas um pouco abaixo do esperado.
The food was good, but a bit below expectations.
Used when the hype doesn't match the reality.
O final do filme ficou bem abaixo do esperado, né?
The end of the movie was way below expectations, right?
Casual observation shared with a friend.
Meu tempo na corrida foi abaixo do esperado hoje.
My race time was below expectations today.
Using the phrase to describe one's own performance.
O serviço do hotel está muito abaixo do esperado.
The hotel service is far below expectations.
A firm way to start a complaint at the front desk.
Só isso de presente? Está abaixo do esperado, hein!
Only this for a gift? It's below expectations, huh!
Sarcastic humor between close friends.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct word to complete the professional feedback.
O desempenho da equipe este mês está ___ do esperado.
We use 'abaixo' (below) to indicate a level or standard, whereas 'embaixo' usually refers to physical position (underneath).
Complete the sentence to express disappointment with a service.
Infelizmente, a qualidade do produto ___ abaixo do esperado.
The verb 'ficar' is often used to describe the resulting state of something.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality Scale of 'Abaixo do esperado'
Using slang like 'meio paia' or 'caído'.
O show foi meio caído.
The sweet spot for 'abaixo do esperado'.
O resultado está abaixo do esperado.
Very structured corporate language.
Os índices situam-se aquém das expectativas.
Where to use 'Está abaixo do esperado'
Work Feedback
Performance reviews
Customer Service
Complaining at a hotel
Entertainment
Reviewing a movie or book
Personal Goals
Missing a gym target
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt means something didn't meet the standard or expectations you had for it. For example, A nota foi abaixo do esperado (The grade was below expectations).
No, it's actually quite polite. It sounds like a professional critique rather than a personal attack on their service.
Yes, but usually regarding their performance, not their character. O jogador esteve abaixo do esperado refers to his play, not him as a person.
The opposite is acima do esperado (above expectations). You use it when something exceeds your hopes!
It is neutral to formal. You can use it with your boss or with your friends when discussing a movie.
Absolutely. It's a very common way to address issues in professional Portuguese emails.
Use está for a current state and ficou for a finished result. O bolo ficou abaixo do esperado means the final cake wasn't great.
Sort of. In Brazil, you might say deixou a desejar or even não deu conta if someone failed a task.
Yes, it is perfectly understood and used in all Portuguese-speaking countries.
Using baixo instead of abaixo. Remember: abaixo is for levels/scales. Baixo is for height (like a short person).
Expressions liées
Deixou a desejar
Left something to be desired / Was disappointing.
Acima do esperado
Above expectations / Better than hoped.
Aquém das expectativas
Falling short of expectations (more formal).
Não foi lá essas coisas
It wasn't all that / It was mediocre (informal).
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