B1 Idiom अनौपचारिक 2 मिनट पढ़ने का समय

quebrar o galho

To help out

शाब्दिक अर्थ: To break the branch

Use it to thank someone for a small favor or a creative, temporary solution to a problem.

15 सेकंड में

  • To provide a temporary fix or favor.
  • Essential for the 'Brazilian way' of solving problems.
  • Used when someone bails you out of a jam.

मतलब

It means to do someone a favor or find a temporary fix for a problem. It is like saying 'to bail someone out' or 'to help someone in a pinch.'

मुख्य उदाहरण

3 / 6
1

Asking a friend for a small favor

Você pode quebrar um galho e me emprestar dez reais?

Can you do me a favor and lend me ten reais?

😊
2

Thanking a colleague

Obrigado por terminar o relatório, você quebrou um galhão!

Thanks for finishing the report, you really helped me out!

💼
3

Dealing with a broken item

O carro quebrou, mas esse arame aqui vai quebrar o galho por enquanto.

The car broke, but this wire will do the trick for now.

😄
🌍

सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि

The expression reflects the Brazilian 'jeitinho,' the art of creative problem-solving. It originated from the idea of clearing a path in the woods by breaking branches. Today, it represents the high value placed on helpfulness and informal social networks in Brazilian society.

💡

The Big Branch

If someone does a really big favor, say they broke a 'galhão' (big branch). It adds extra emphasis to your gratitude!

⚠️

Don't be a 'Quebra-galho' forever

While being helpful is great, calling someone a 'quebra-galho' can sometimes mean they are just a 'handyman' or someone who does things unprofessionally.

15 सेकंड में

  • To provide a temporary fix or favor.
  • Essential for the 'Brazilian way' of solving problems.
  • Used when someone bails you out of a jam.

What It Means

Imagine you are hiking and need to cross a small stream. You find a sturdy branch to lean on. That is the essence of quebrar o galho. It is about providing a quick solution when things are not perfect. You are not building a permanent bridge. You are just helping someone get to the other side right now. It is the ultimate expression of Brazilian resourcefulness.

How To Use It

You use it as a verb phrase. You can say someone quebrou um galho for you. Or you can ask someone: Pode quebrar esse galho? It works for physical favors, like lending a charger. It also works for abstract favors, like covering a shift at work. It is very flexible and common in daily conversation.

When To Use It

Use it when you are in a bind. Maybe you forgot your wallet at a cafe. A friend pays for you. They just quebraram um galho. Use it at work when a colleague helps with a last-minute report. It is perfect for those 'I owe you one' moments. It sounds warm and appreciative.

When NOT To Use It

Avoid this in very formal legal contracts. Do not use it for life-changing, massive favors. If someone saves your life, quebrar o galho is too small. It sounds a bit trivial for deep emotional debts. Also, do not use it if the solution is permanent and professional. It implies a bit of 'improvisation.'

Cultural Background

This phrase is tied to the 'jeitinho brasileiro.' This is the Brazilian way of finding a path through rigid rules. Life can be bureaucratic and complicated in Brazil. People rely on each other to find shortcuts. Breaking a branch is a metaphor for clearing a path through a thick forest. It shows that social connections are more important than cold rules.

Common Variations

You might hear someone called a quebra-galho. This is a person who is a jack-of-all-trades. They can fix anything with duct tape and a smile. You can also say isso quebra o galho. This means 'this will do for now.' It is the phrase for when a temporary solution is 'good enough.'

इस्तेमाल की जानकारी

The phrase is neutral to informal. In Brazil, it's used daily across all social classes to negotiate small favors and acknowledge helpfulness.

💡

The Big Branch

If someone does a really big favor, say they broke a 'galhão' (big branch). It adds extra emphasis to your gratitude!

⚠️

Don't be a 'Quebra-galho' forever

While being helpful is great, calling someone a 'quebra-galho' can sometimes mean they are just a 'handyman' or someone who does things unprofessionally.

💬

The 'Jeitinho' Connection

This phrase is the verbal gateway to the 'Jeitinho Brasileiro.' It's about being flexible and helping others navigate life's little obstacles.

उदाहरण

6
#1 Asking a friend for a small favor
😊

Você pode quebrar um galho e me emprestar dez reais?

Can you do me a favor and lend me ten reais?

A very common way to ask for a small, quick loan.

#2 Thanking a colleague
💼

Obrigado por terminar o relatório, você quebrou um galhão!

Thanks for finishing the report, you really helped me out!

Using the augmentative 'galhão' emphasizes how much the help meant.

#3 Dealing with a broken item
😄

O carro quebrou, mas esse arame aqui vai quebrar o galho por enquanto.

The car broke, but this wire will do the trick for now.

Refers to a temporary, improvised fix.

#4 Texting a roommate
🤝

Quebra esse galho pra mim e lava a louça hoje?

Could you be a pal and wash the dishes today?

Softens the request for a chore.

#5 In a formal setting (softened)
👔

Eu ficaria muito grato se o senhor pudesse quebrar esse galho.

I would be very grateful if you could help me out with this.

Even in formal settings, it adds a touch of human connection.

#6 Expressing relief
💭

Nossa, você quebrou um galho enorme vindo me buscar!

Wow, you did me a huge favor by coming to pick me up!

Shows genuine gratitude for someone's effort.

खुद को परखो

Choose the correct verb to complete the idiom.

Meu celular descarregou. Você pode ___ um galho e me emprestar o seu?

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: quebrar

The standard idiom is 'quebrar o galho' (to break the branch).

Complete the sentence to say 'this will do for now'.

Eu não tenho uma caneta azul, mas essa preta ___ o galho.

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: quebra

When an object is sufficient for a task, we say it 'quebra o galho'.

🎉 स्कोर: /2

विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स

Formality of 'Quebrar o Galho'

Slang

Very street-level

Dá um help

Informal

Friends and family

Quebra esse galho!

Neutral

Work colleagues

Pode me quebrar um galho?

Formal

Official business

Solicito sua ajuda

When to use 'Quebrar o Galho'

Quebrar o Galho
🔌

Borrowing something

Lending a charger

💼

Work favors

Covering a meeting

🛠️

Improvised fixes

Using tape on a shoe

Small loans

Paying for coffee

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

12 सवाल

It means to help someone out with a favor or to find a temporary solution to a problem. For example, Ele quebrou o galho pra mim means 'He helped me out.'

Yes, it is very common in office environments for informal favors. You might ask a coworker: Pode quebrar esse galho e revisar isso?

Not at all! It is actually quite friendly and shows you trust the person enough to ask for help. Just avoid it in extremely formal speeches.

A quebra-galho is a person who can fix many different things or solve various problems, often in an improvised way. It's like a 'MacGyver' or a handyman.

It's similar, but quebrar o galho implies the favor is solving a specific problem or 'pinch' you are in. It feels more like a rescue.

Yes! If a tool isn't perfect but works for now, you say: Isso quebra o galho. It means 'this will suffice.'

You can say: Valeu por quebrar esse galho! This is a very natural, friendly way to express thanks.

Only if used to describe a job that was done poorly. If a repair is just a quebra-galho, it means it's not a permanent or professional fix.

Yes, but you would likely say quebrar um galhão to acknowledge the significant effort involved.

It comes from the idea of breaking branches in a forest to make a path. By 'breaking the branch,' you are removing an obstacle for someone.

Yes, it is understood in Portugal, though it is much more iconic and frequently used in Brazilian Portuguese.

If you have a friendly relationship, yes. If the boss is very strict, stick to Poderia me fazer um favor?

संबंधित मुहावरे

dar um jeito

to find a way / to fix it

mão na roda

something very helpful / a lifesaver

dar uma mãozinha

to give a little hand / help out

quebra-galho

a temporary fix or a person who fixes things

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