não dar certo
to work out
Littéralement: not to give right
Use this for any situation that didn't go as planned, from broken gadgets to breakups.
En 15 secondes
- Used when plans, objects, or relationships fail to work out.
- The opposite of 'deu certo' (it worked).
- Extremely common in both Brazil and Portugal.
Signification
This phrase is used when something fails to happen or doesn't go as planned. It covers everything from a broken toaster to a failed romantic relationship.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Talking about a past relationship
Nós tentamos, mas não deu certo.
We tried, but it didn't work out.
Trying to fix a computer
Tentei reiniciar, mas não deu certo.
I tried to restart it, but it didn't work.
A business proposal that was rejected
Infelizmente, a parceria não deu certo.
Unfortunately, the partnership didn't work out.
Contexte culturel
The phrase reflects a relaxed Mediterranean and Latin attitude toward plans. It suggests that sometimes things just don't align, regardless of effort. It is frequently used in the context of 'jeitinho brasileiro' when a creative solution fails to fix a problem.
The Positive Flip
Simply remove 'não' to say 'deu certo' (it worked!). It's the most common way to celebrate a small win.
Don't say 'não trabalhou'
English speakers often use 'trabalhar' (to work) for machines. In Portuguese, use 'dar certo' or 'funcionar' instead.
En 15 secondes
- Used when plans, objects, or relationships fail to work out.
- The opposite of 'deu certo' (it worked).
- Extremely common in both Brazil and Portugal.
What It Means
Não dar certo is your go-to phrase for any plan that flops. Think of it as the opposite of success. It implies that the pieces just didn't fit together. It is incredibly versatile and common in daily speech.
How To Use It
You use it like a regular verb phrase. The verb dar (to give) changes based on the tense. If a date was bad, you say it não deu certo. If a plan is currently failing, it não está dando certo. It is simple and punchy.
When To Use It
Use it for mechanical failures like a car not starting. Use it for social plans that get canceled. It is perfect for describing relationships that ended. You can even use it for a recipe that turned into a disaster. It is the ultimate 'oops' phrase.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using it for serious moral failures or crimes. It sounds a bit too light for a tragedy. Don't use it if you simply forgot to do something. It implies an attempt was made but failed. It’s about the result, not the lack of effort.
Cultural Background
Brazilians and Portuguese people are generally optimistic but realistic. This phrase reflects a pragmatic view of life's little hiccups. There is a sense of 'it wasn't meant to be' when you use it. It takes the pressure off by blaming the situation, not necessarily the person. It's a very 'chill' way to acknowledge a failure.
Common Variations
You might hear dar errado which is a bit more blunt. Dar zebra is a funny slang version for an unexpected bad result. If things go well, you just remove the não and say deu certo. It’s a binary world of things working or not!
Notes d'usage
The phrase is highly flexible across all levels of formality. The key is conjugating the verb 'dar' correctly to match the subject and tense.
The Positive Flip
Simply remove 'não' to say 'deu certo' (it worked!). It's the most common way to celebrate a small win.
Don't say 'não trabalhou'
English speakers often use 'trabalhar' (to work) for machines. In Portuguese, use 'dar certo' or 'funcionar' instead.
The Vague Breakup
If someone asks why a couple split, saying 'não deu certo' is the polite way to say 'it's none of your business' without being rude.
Exemples
6Nós tentamos, mas não deu certo.
We tried, but it didn't work out.
Very common way to explain a breakup without being too specific.
Tentei reiniciar, mas não deu certo.
I tried to restart it, but it didn't work.
Refers to a technical solution that failed.
Infelizmente, a parceria não deu certo.
Unfortunately, the partnership didn't work out.
Professional yet direct way to report a failed deal.
Acho que hoje não vai dar certo.
I don't think it's going to work out today.
A polite way to cancel plans last minute.
O bolo não deu certo, ficou duro!
The cake didn't work out, it's hard!
Used for a failed attempt at cooking.
Essa chave não deu certo na porta.
This key didn't work in the door.
Physical incompatibility of two objects.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence to say the plan didn't work.
Eu tentei ligar para ele, mas ___.
You use 'não deu certo' to indicate the attempt to call failed to achieve the goal.
Choose the correct future tense.
Se você não estudar, o exame ___.
To talk about a future failure, use 'vai dar' (is going to give).
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'não dar certo'
Dar zebra
Deu zebra no jogo.
Daily talk
Não deu certo o rolê.
Standard use
O plano não deu certo.
Professional
O projeto não obteve êxito.
When things don't go right
Dating
O encontro não deu certo.
Cooking
A receita não deu certo.
Technology
O Wi-Fi não deu certo.
Scheduling
O horário não deu certo.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsAlmost. Não dar certo is softer, like 'it didn't work out,' while dar errado is more like 'it went wrong' or failed miserably.
Yes, but não funcionar is more specific for mechanical failure. You'd use não deu certo if you tried to fix it yourself and failed.
Absolutely. It is neutral enough for professional settings, e.g., A estratégia não deu certo (The strategy didn't work out).
You use the future tense: Não vai dar certo. It's very common when predicting a bad outcome.
Yes, it is universal across the Portuguese-speaking world, though the accent and rhythm will differ.
The opposite is simply dar certo. For example: O plano deu certo! (The plan worked!).
You use it for the *relationship* between people, not the people themselves. You'd say Eles não deram certo juntos.
No, it's a standard collocation. It's safe to use with your boss or your best friend.
Yes. If you can't make a time, say Esse horário não dá certo para mim (That time doesn't work for me).
Using não funcionou for relationships. Only machines funcionam; people and plans dão certo.
Expressions liées
dar errado
dar certo
funcionar
ir por água abaixo
dar zebra
Commentaires (0)
Connectez-vous pour CommenterCommencez à apprendre les langues gratuitement
Commence Gratuitement