não tomar banho

You use it just like the English version. You can conjugate the verb tomar for different people. For yourself, say eu não tomei banho. If you are asking a friend, say você não tomou banho?. It is a basic, everyday phrase. You will hear it in families and between close friends. It is not a metaphor; it is a direct statement of fact.

Use it when you are being honest about your day. Use it when you are joking about being a 'couch potato'. It is common when talking about cold winter days. People also use it when camping or during water shortages. If you are texting a friend why you are late, this works. Just be prepared for a funny look or a laugh!

Do not use this in a job interview. Avoid saying this to your boss or a new date. Even if it is true, it might be 'too much information'. In Lusophone cultures, hygiene is linked to being polite. Telling a stranger you didn't shower is considered a bit gross. Keep this phrase for people you know well. You don't want to be the 'smelly' person in the office.

Brazilians are among the most frequent showerers in the world. Many take three showers a day due to the tropical heat. In Portugal, the habit is also very strong but influenced by the seasons. Skipping a shower is often seen as a sign of sickness or deep sadness. Or, more commonly, it's just 'lazy Sunday' behavior. There is even a funny term, banho de gato, for a quick, incomplete wash.

You might hear não dar um mergulho in casual beach settings. Some people say pular o banho, which means 'to skip the shower'. In very informal slang, you might hear about someone being cascão. This is a reference to a famous comic character who hates water. But não tomar banho remains the most standard way to say it.