cachorro que morder
cachorro expression
शाब्दिक अर्थ: Dog that barks does not bite
Use this to dismiss someone's aggressive words when you know they won't actually do anything.
15 सेकंड में
- Describes people who make empty threats but never take action.
- Equivalent to 'his bark is worse than his bite'.
- Used to reassure someone that a loud person isn't dangerous.
मतलब
This phrase describes someone who makes a lot of noise or threats but rarely follows through with action. It is the Portuguese equivalent of saying someone's bark is worse than their bite.
मुख्य उदाहरण
3 / 6Reassuring a worried friend
Não liga para o que o chefe disse, cachorro que late não morde.
Don't mind what the boss said, his bark is worse than his bite.
Discussing a rival sports team
Eles falam muito antes do jogo, mas cão que ladra não morde.
They talk a lot before the game, but they don't follow through.
In a professional but relaxed meeting
A concorrência está fazendo barulho, mas sabemos que cachorro que late não morde.
The competition is making noise, but we know it's all talk.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
This proverb is one of the most recognized in the Lusophone world, rooted in ancient fables. In Brazil, it is often used to dismiss 'valentões' (bullies) who use verbal aggression to hide their own insecurities. It reflects a cultural value of looking past appearances to see a person's true intent.
Cão vs. Cachorro
Use `Cão` for a more 'classic proverb' feel, and `Cachorro` for a more modern, everyday Brazilian vibe.
Don't be literal
If a dog is actually barking at you in a Brazilian alley, don't assume it won't bite! This is for people, not biology.
15 सेकंड में
- Describes people who make empty threats but never take action.
- Equivalent to 'his bark is worse than his bite'.
- Used to reassure someone that a loud person isn't dangerous.
What It Means
Cão que ladra não morde (or the common variation cachorro que late não morde) is all about empty threats. You use it when someone is acting tough or aggressive. It implies that their loud behavior is actually a cover for a lack of real power. If someone is shouting, they usually aren't planning to actually hit or act. It is a comforting reminder that noise doesn't always equal danger.
How To Use It
Use this phrase as a reaction to someone's bluster. You can say it to a friend to calm them down about a mean boss. You can also use it to describe a rival who talks a big game. It functions as a complete sentence or a descriptive label. It is very flexible in conversation. Just don't say it directly to the 'barking' person unless you want a fight!
When To Use It
You will hear this most often in social settings. Use it when a colleague is complaining loudly about a policy. Use it when a neighbor is making empty threats about a fence. It is perfect for texting a friend who is worried about a strict professor. It brings a sense of perspective to stressful situations. It’s the ultimate 'don't worry about them' phrase.
When NOT To Use It
Never use this if there is actual physical danger involved. If a real dog is growling, don't test the idiom! Avoid using it in very formal legal documents or high-level diplomacy. It is a bit too colorful for a serious court hearing. Also, don't use it for someone who is actually quiet and dangerous. That is the opposite of this expression.
Cultural Background
Brazilians are generally very expressive and communicative people. However, there is a cultural disdain for 'gogó' (just talk). This proverb has deep roots in Iberian traditions and exists in many languages. In Brazil, it reflects a street-smart attitude. It shows you aren't easily intimidated by loud displays of ego. It’s a staple of 'sabedoria popular' (folk wisdom).
Common Variations
The most classic version is Cão que ladra não morde. In everyday Brazilian Portuguese, people often say Cachorro que late não morde. Sometimes people just say Ele é só latido (He is all bark). You might also hear Muito barulho por nada (Much ado about nothing) in similar contexts. All of them point to the same truth: volume isn't strength.
इस्तेमाल की जानकारी
The phrase is highly informal but socially acceptable in most settings. In Brazil, prefer 'late' over 'ladra' to sound more natural.
Cão vs. Cachorro
Use `Cão` for a more 'classic proverb' feel, and `Cachorro` for a more modern, everyday Brazilian vibe.
Don't be literal
If a dog is actually barking at you in a Brazilian alley, don't assume it won't bite! This is for people, not biology.
The 'Gogó' Factor
Brazilians often use the word `gogó` (Adam's apple) to describe someone who is all talk. You can say 'Ele tem muito gogó' alongside this idiom.
उदाहरण
6Não liga para o que o chefe disse, cachorro que late não morde.
Don't mind what the boss said, his bark is worse than his bite.
Used here to diminish the boss's verbal threats.
Eles falam muito antes do jogo, mas cão que ladra não morde.
They talk a lot before the game, but they don't follow through.
Used to describe an opponent who boasts too much.
A concorrência está fazendo barulho, mas sabemos que cachorro que late não morde.
The competition is making noise, but we know it's all talk.
Professional context showing confidence against competitors.
O vizinho reclamou de novo? Relaxa, cachorro que late não morde!
Did the neighbor complain again? Relax, he's all talk!
Short, punchy reassurance via text.
Aquele ali briga com todo mundo, mas cachorro que late não morde, né?
That guy fights with everyone, but he's harmless, right?
Using humor to point out someone's fake toughness.
Eu sei que ele parece bravo, mas acredita em mim: cachorro que late não morde.
I know he seems angry, but trust me: he's not going to do anything.
Emotional support against an intimidating figure.
खुद को परखो
Choose the correct verb to complete the classic idiom.
Cachorro que ___ não morde.
'Late' is the third-person singular of 'latir' (to bark).
Which animal is traditionally used in this Portuguese expression?
___ que ladra não morde.
'Cão' is the more traditional/formal word for dog used in the proverb.
🎉 स्कोर: /2
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
Formality of 'Cachorro que late não morde'
Too structured for pure slang.
N/A
Perfect for friends and family.
Relaxa, cachorro que late não morde.
Safe for most office chats.
No mercado, cachorro que late não morde.
A bit too idiomatic for a legal brief.
N/A
When to use the phrase
Mean Boss
He yells but never fires anyone.
Angry Neighbor
Threatens to call police but never does.
Sports Rival
Trash talking before a match.
Online Trolls
Big comments, zero real-world action.
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
12 सवालIt means that people who make a lot of noise or threats usually don't take any real action. It's the Portuguese version of 'his bark is worse than his bite'.
Both are correct. Cão is more traditional and common in Portugal, while Cachorro is the standard choice in Brazil.
Yes, but keep it for casual moments or internal chats. It might be too informal for a presentation to a CEO.
It can be. If you say it about someone, you are calling them a 'paper tiger' or someone who lacks the courage to act.
The verbs are latir (most common in Brazil) or ladrar (more common in Portugal or formal literature).
The most direct way is exactly this phrase: Cachorro que late não morde.
You can say someone is só gogó or só garganta, which means they are all throat/talk.
No. For a quiet person who might be dangerous, we use Cuidado com o cão que não late (Beware of the dog that doesn't bark).
It's mostly for people or groups (like companies or teams) that make empty threats.
Extremely common! Almost every native speaker knows it and uses it from a young age.
The opposite would be Cão que não late, morde calado, referring to someone who acts without warning.
Technically yes, but it's 99% used metaphorically for human behavior.
संबंधित मुहावरे
Só gogó
Muito barulho por nada
Cão que não late, morde calado
Falar é fácil
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