Por exemplo...
Literally: Type...
Use `tipo` as a conversational filler to sound natural and relaxed with friends.
In 15 Seconds
- The Portuguese equivalent of the English filler word 'like.'
- Used to give examples, hesitate, or soften your speech.
- Extremely common in casual conversation but avoid in formal settings.
Meaning
It is a versatile filler word used to mean 'like' or 'kind of.' You use it to give examples, hesitate while thinking, or soften a statement.
Key Examples
3 of 6Describing a new person
Ele é tipo muito alto, sabe?
He is like, really tall, you know?
Trying to remember a name
O nome dela era... tipo... Marina?
Her name was... like... Marina?
Explaining a complex feeling
Eu me senti tipo... sem chão.
I felt like... the ground was gone.
Cultural Background
The rise of `tipo` reflects the heavy influence of English pop culture on the Lusophone world. It transitioned from a specific slang used by teenagers to a universal linguistic crutch. In Brazil, it is often paired with specific hand gestures to indicate 'more or less.'
The 'Tipo Assim' Upgrade
If you want to sound even more like a local Brazilian, use `tipo assim`. It adds a bit of rhythmic flair to your sentences.
Don't Overdo It
Just like 'like' in English, using it in every sentence can make you sound like a distracted teenager. Use it sparingly for best effect!
In 15 Seconds
- The Portuguese equivalent of the English filler word 'like.'
- Used to give examples, hesitate, or soften your speech.
- Extremely common in casual conversation but avoid in formal settings.
What It Means
Tipo is the ultimate Portuguese filler word. It translates directly to "like" in English. You use it when you are searching for words. It helps you describe things without being exact. It acts as a bridge between your thoughts. Think of it as the glue of casual conversation. It is rarely about literal "types" or "categories."
How To Use It
Insert it almost anywhere in a sentence. Use it to introduce an example or a comparison. You can say Ele é tipo um herói (He is like a hero). It also works as a standalone pause. If someone asks a hard question, start with Tipo... to buy time. In texting, it is often used to soften a blunt opinion. It makes you sound more relaxed and less robotic.
When To Use It
Use it constantly with your friends or peers. It is perfect for describing a movie or a party. Use it when you are not 100% sure of a fact. It works great at a coffee shop or a bar. It is the go-to word for storytelling. It helps you set the scene or mimic someone's voice. Even in casual work chats, it shows you are approachable.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid it in a job interview or formal speech. Using it too much makes you sound unsure. Do not use it when speaking to a judge or professor. It can come across as immature if overused. If you are giving a technical presentation, skip the tipo. Your audience might think you lack precision. Keep it out of legal documents or formal emails.
Cultural Background
This expression exploded with the younger generations in Brazil and Portugal. It mirrors the American English use of "like." It represents a shift toward more informal, fluid communication. In the 90s and 2000s, it was associated with "surfers" or "preppy" crowds. Now, almost everyone under 50 uses it daily. It is a hallmark of the modern, urban Portuguese speaker.
Common Variations
In Brazil, you will often hear tipo assim. This is a reinforced version that means "like, so." In Portugal, you might hear tipo que. Some people use tipo... sei lá (like... I don't know). You can also combine it with meio (kind of). For example: Estou tipo meio cansado (I'm like, kind of tired). These variations add extra layers of hesitation or emphasis.
Usage Notes
Highly informal. It functions as a 'crutch' word. Use it to sound like a native in casual settings, but be aware that over-reliance can make your vocabulary seem limited.
The 'Tipo Assim' Upgrade
If you want to sound even more like a local Brazilian, use `tipo assim`. It adds a bit of rhythmic flair to your sentences.
Don't Overdo It
Just like 'like' in English, using it in every sentence can make you sound like a distracted teenager. Use it sparingly for best effect!
Regional Vibes
In Portugal, you might hear `tipo` used slightly less frequently than in Brazil, but it is still very much a staple of youth slang in Lisbon.
Examples
6Ele é tipo muito alto, sabe?
He is like, really tall, you know?
Used here to emphasize a physical characteristic.
O nome dela era... tipo... Marina?
Her name was... like... Marina?
Used as a filler while the speaker searches their memory.
Eu me senti tipo... sem chão.
I felt like... the ground was gone.
Used to introduce a metaphor for an emotional state.
A festa ontem foi tipo incrível!
The party yesterday was like, incredible!
Commonly used in digital slang for emphasis.
Ela comprou tipo mil sapatos.
She bought like a thousand shoes.
Used to show that 'a thousand' is an exaggeration, not literal.
O projeto está tipo quase pronto.
The project is like, almost done.
Softens the statement to avoid being too definitive.
Test Yourself
Choose the best word to fill the gap in a casual conversation.
A comida estava ___ muito boa, mas cara.
`Tipo` is the natural filler for casual descriptions.
How would you start a sentence when you're unsure of the answer?
___... eu não tenho certeza do horário.
`Tipo...` is used to stall for time when you are uncertain.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Scale of 'Tipo'
Talking to best friends or siblings.
Tipo, foi bizarro!
Ordering coffee or chatting with coworkers.
Queria tipo um café com leite.
Presenting to a CEO or a judge.
Avoid using 'tipo' here.
Where to use 'Tipo'
Giving Examples
Frutas, tipo maçã.
Stalling for Time
Eu estava... tipo...
Softening Opinions
É tipo meio chato.
Texting
Tipo, me liga!
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, in its function as a filler word, it is almost identical. You can use it to stall, emphasize, or approximate, just as you would use like in English.
It depends on the company culture. In a creative startup, it is fine, but in a bank or law firm, it might make you sound unprofessional.
It is a common variation that means 'like this' or 'like so.' It is often used to clarify a point or wrap up a thought, as in Ele não quis vir, tipo assim, ele estava cansado.
No. While its literal meaning is 'type' or 'kind,' in conversation it is almost always used as a filler or to mean 'approximately.'
It is better to use it with people your own age or younger. Some older Portuguese speakers might find it a bit sloppy or annoying if overused.
In that case, you use it literally: Ele é o meu tipo. Note the use of the article o which makes it a noun.
Absolutely. While slang varies, tipo is a universal filler across the Portuguese-speaking world, including Portugal and Angola.
Yes! It is a very common way to introduce examples casually. For example: Gosto de esportes, tipo futebol e surf.
The biggest mistake is using it in written formal Portuguese. Never use it in a formal essay or a cover letter.
When used as a filler, no. It stays as tipo. If you are talking about literal types of cars, you would say tipos de carros.
Related Phrases
Tipo assim
Like this / Like so
Ou seja
In other words
Quer dizer
I mean / That is to say
Meio que
Kind of / Sort of
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