botar a mão na consciência
To examine one's conscience
直訳: To put the hand on the conscience
Use this to challenge someone's ethics or behavior in a firm but reflective way.
15秒でわかる
- A call for deep self-reflection and moral honesty.
- Used to ask someone to reconsider an unfair action.
- Translates to 'putting your hand on your conscience'.
- Common in both personal and professional disputes.
意味
This phrase is used when you want someone to stop and think about their actions. It is a call for self-reflection, urging someone to be honest with themselves about a mistake or an unfair attitude.
主な例文
3 / 6Talking to a friend who is being rude to a waiter
Você devia botar a mão na consciência e pedir desculpas.
You should examine your conscience and apologize.
A manager addressing a team about unfair workloads
Precisamos botar a mão na consciência sobre a divisão das tarefas.
We need to reflect honestly about the division of tasks.
Texting a roommate who never cleans the kitchen
Bota a mão na consciência, eu limpei a casa sozinho três vezes!
Think about what you're doing, I cleaned the house alone three times!
文化的背景
The expression stems from the physical act of placing a hand over one's heart or chest during prayer or reflection. In Lusophone cultures, the 'conscience' is viewed as a internal judge that one must stay in touch with to be a 'good person'. It became a staple of Brazilian soap operas (telenovelas) during dramatic moral confrontations.
The 'Pôr' vs 'Botar' Secret
Use `pôr` if you want to sound slightly more elegant or if you are in Portugal. Use `botar` in Brazil for a more natural, street-smart vibe.
Don't be too aggressive
Saying this with a pointing finger can be seen as very confrontational. Soften your voice to make it sound like genuine advice rather than an attack.
15秒でわかる
- A call for deep self-reflection and moral honesty.
- Used to ask someone to reconsider an unfair action.
- Translates to 'putting your hand on your conscience'.
- Common in both personal and professional disputes.
What It Means
Imagine you just did something a bit selfish. Your friend looks at you and tells you to botar a mão na consciência. They aren't asking for a physical gesture. They want you to tap into your inner moral compass. It is about pausing the ego. It means admitting you might be wrong. It is the ultimate 'check yourself' moment in Portuguese.
How To Use It
You use this phrase as a verb. You can tell someone to do it: Bote a mão na consciência. You can also talk about yourself: Eu precisei botar a mão na consciência. It works perfectly when someone is being stubborn. It is a way to appeal to their better nature. Think of it as a verbal reset button for bad behavior.
When To Use It
Use it during a heated argument that needs a cooling-off period. It is great for workplace disputes about fairness. Use it when a friend is being unreasonable about a bill. It works well in texting when someone is ghosting you. It is a powerful tool for emotional honesty. Even parents use it constantly with their teenagers.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for trivial mistakes like dropping a spoon. It is too heavy for small accidents. Avoid using it with your boss unless you have a very close bond. It can sound accusatory if the tone is wrong. Don't use it if you are the one being clearly irrational. It might backfire and make you look like a hypocrite!
Cultural Background
Brazilians value empathy and social harmony deeply. This phrase reflects the Catholic heritage of 'confession' and 'examining sins'. However, today it is entirely secular and used by everyone. It suggests that everyone has a 'good side' they can find. It is a very humanistic way to resolve conflict without direct insults.
Common Variations
You will often hear pôr a mão na consciência instead of botar. Both mean exactly the same thing. Pôr is slightly more common in Portugal or formal writing. In Brazil, botar feels more natural in daily conversation. Some people just say tenha consciência, but it lacks the poetic 'hand' imagery.
使い方のコツ
The phrase is highly versatile across all social classes. In Brazil, 'botar' is the go-to verb for informal and neutral speech, while 'pôr' is reserved for more formal writing or European Portuguese.
The 'Pôr' vs 'Botar' Secret
Use `pôr` if you want to sound slightly more elegant or if you are in Portugal. Use `botar` in Brazil for a more natural, street-smart vibe.
Don't be too aggressive
Saying this with a pointing finger can be seen as very confrontational. Soften your voice to make it sound like genuine advice rather than an attack.
The Dramatic Pause
In Brazil, people often touch their chest when saying this. It adds physical weight to the words and emphasizes that you are talking about the heart/soul.
例文
6Você devia botar a mão na consciência e pedir desculpas.
You should examine your conscience and apologize.
A direct appeal to the friend's sense of fairness.
Precisamos botar a mão na consciência sobre a divisão das tarefas.
We need to reflect honestly about the division of tasks.
Used here to promote professional ethics and balance.
Bota a mão na consciência, eu limpei a casa sozinho três vezes!
Think about what you're doing, I cleaned the house alone three times!
Informal and slightly frustrated tone.
Comeu o último pedaço? Bota a mão na consciência, rapaz!
You ate the last slice? Have you no shame, man!
Using a serious phrase for a lighthearted 'betrayal'.
Eu botei a mão na consciência e vi que eu estava errado.
I searched my soul and saw that I was wrong.
Shows vulnerability and self-awareness.
Se todos botassem a mão na consciência, o mundo seria melhor.
If everyone examined their conscience, the world would be better.
A broad, philosophical application.
自分をテスト
Choose the correct verb to complete the phrase in a casual Brazilian context.
Você precisa ___ a mão na consciência antes de julgar os outros.
The verb 'botar' (to put) is the standard verb used in this idiom.
Which word completes the idiom meaning 'to reflect'?
Bote a mão na ___.
The idiom specifically uses 'consciência' to refer to one's moral compass.
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ビジュアル学習ツール
Formality of 'Botar a mão na consciência'
Used with friends during minor disagreements.
Bota a mão na consciência, cara!
Standard usage in most daily situations.
Ela precisa botar a mão na consciência.
Used in speeches or serious literature (often using 'pôr').
É necessário que o cidadão ponha a mão na consciência.
When to use the phrase
After a fight
To admit fault
Unfair behavior
Calling out a greedy friend
Work Ethics
Discussing team balance
Self-Reflection
Realizing your own mistake
よくある質問
10 問While it has roots in Christian introspection, it is now used by everyone regardless of faith. You can say botar a mão na consciência in a business meeting without any religious connotation.
Yes! It's very common to say Eu botei a mão na consciência when you realize you were being difficult or wrong.
Pensar bem is just 'to think carefully'. Botar a mão na consciência is specifically about the morality or fairness of an action.
It can be. It implies the stranger is acting unethically. Use it only if the situation justifies a moral confrontation.
It conjugates like a regular -ar verb. For example, Eles botaram a mão na consciência (They examined their conscience).
Not exactly a slang version, but teenagers might just say Se toca! which is a much harsher way of saying 'Wake up/Realize what you're doing!'
Yes, but as mentioned, they prefer the verb pôr over botar.
Absolutely. It's often used when one partner feels the other is being unfair or selfish in the relationship.
Extremely common. You will hear it in movies, songs, and daily gossip.
There isn't a direct opposite idiom, but you could say someone is sem escrúpulos (without scruples) if they refuse to do it.
関連フレーズ
Cair na real
To face reality / To wake up to the truth
Dar o braço a torcer
To give in / To admit one is wrong
Ficar com a consciência pesada
To have a guilty conscience
Ter a consciência limpa
To have a clear conscience
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