dar à língua
to gossip
직역: to give to the tongue
Use it casually to describe someone who loves to chat or spread juicy rumors among friends.
15초 만에
- To gossip or talk excessively about others.
- Used in casual settings with friends and family.
- Visualizes a tongue moving rapidly while sharing secrets.
뜻
This phrase is used when someone is talking way too much, usually about other people's lives or spreading rumors. It captures that physical image of a tongue wagging non-stop while sharing juicy secrets.
주요 예문
3 / 6Observing neighbors from a balcony
Aquelas duas estão sempre ali a dar à língua sobre a vizinhança.
Those two are always there gossiping about the neighborhood.
At a busy restaurant with a friend
Nós viemos para comer ou para dar à língua?
Did we come here to eat or to gossip?
In a professional but relaxed office break
Cuidado com o que dizes, eles gostam muito de dar à língua no corredor.
Be careful what you say, they love to gossip in the hallway.
문화적 배경
The phrase reflects the Mediterranean-influenced social fabric of Portugal, where oral tradition and neighborhood 'radio' (boatos) are central to daily life. It evolved from the physical observation of the tongue's movement during rapid speech and is a staple in Portuguese soap operas (telenovelas) to describe nosy characters.
The 'À' is Key
Don't forget the accent on the 'à'. It's a contraction of 'a' (to) and 'a' (the). Without it, the grammar feels naked to a native speaker!
Watch the Tone
While usually friendly, saying 'Estás sempre a dar à língua' can be a bit rude if said with a sharp tone. Use a smile to keep it playful.
15초 만에
- To gossip or talk excessively about others.
- Used in casual settings with friends and family.
- Visualizes a tongue moving rapidly while sharing secrets.
What It Means
Dar à língua is all about the art of gab. It means to chatter, gossip, or talk excessively. Imagine someone's tongue moving so fast it has a mind of its own. It is not just talking; it is sharing news you probably shouldn't. It is the sound of a coffee shop buzzing with secrets. You use it when someone is being a 'chatterbox'.
How To Use It
You treat dar like any regular verb. It changes based on who is doing the gossiping. You can say elas dão à língua (they gossip) or eu dei à língua (I gossiped). It is very flexible. You can use it to describe a habit. You can also use it to describe a specific moment. It is punchy and visual.
When To Use It
Use it when you are with friends. It is perfect for describing that one neighbor who knows everything. Use it at a dinner party when the wine starts flowing. It works great in texts when you're catching up. Use it to admit you talked too much. It is a lighthearted way to call out a gossip.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this in a job interview. Do not use it during a serious legal deposition. It is too informal for a funeral or a solemn ceremony. If you are reporting news professionally, skip it. It implies a lack of seriousness. It can sound a bit critical if used with the wrong tone. Don't use it if the 'talking' is actually a serious business presentation.
Cultural Background
Portuguese culture thrives on social interaction and 'cafézinhos'. Sitting at a sidewalk cafe is the national sport. This phrase reflects that deep-seated love for conversation. It suggests that the tongue is an instrument of entertainment. In small villages, dar à língua is how news travels faster than the internet. It is a communal activity that keeps people connected.
Common Variations
You might hear dar ao canivete in some regions. Another similar one is ter a língua comprida (to have a long tongue). This means someone specifically can't keep a secret. You can also say desgastar a língua. But dar à língua remains the most common and classic version. It is the 'gold standard' for describing a good old-fashioned chat.
사용 참고사항
This is a quintessential B1-level phrase because it moves you away from basic verbs like 'falar'. It is strictly informal to neutral; using it in formal settings might make you seem unrefined.
The 'À' is Key
Don't forget the accent on the 'à'. It's a contraction of 'a' (to) and 'a' (the). Without it, the grammar feels naked to a native speaker!
Watch the Tone
While usually friendly, saying 'Estás sempre a dar à língua' can be a bit rude if said with a sharp tone. Use a smile to keep it playful.
The Village 'Radio'
In small Portuguese towns, the elderly ladies sitting on benches are jokingly called 'a rádio local' because they 'dão à língua' all day.
예시
6Aquelas duas estão sempre ali a dar à língua sobre a vizinhança.
Those two are always there gossiping about the neighborhood.
Describes a habitual action of gossiping.
Nós viemos para comer ou para dar à língua?
Did we come here to eat or to gossip?
A playful way to tell someone they are talking too much.
Cuidado com o que dizes, eles gostam muito de dar à língua no corredor.
Be careful what you say, they love to gossip in the hallway.
A warning about office rumors.
Já demos bem à língua hoje, amanhã falamos mais!
We really chatted a lot today, let's talk more tomorrow!
Used to summarize a long, enjoyable conversation.
Desculpa, dei à língua e contei o teu segredo sem querer.
Sorry, I let my tongue wag and told your secret by accident.
Used to apologize for being indiscreet.
A festa estava ótima, toda a gente a dar à língua e a rir.
The party was great, everyone was chatting and laughing.
Sets a lively, social scene.
셀프 테스트
Choose the correct form of the verb 'dar' to complete the sentence.
Ontem, eu e a Maria ___ à língua durante três horas no café.
Since the subject is 'eu e a Maria' (we), you need the first-person plural past tense 'demos'.
Complete the common expression.
Ela não consegue guardar um segredo, gosta muito de dar à ___.
The fixed expression is 'dar à língua', specifically referring to the tongue.
🎉 점수: /2
시각 학습 자료
Formality Scale of 'Dar à língua'
Slangy/Street talk
Bora dar à língua!
Friends and Family
Eles dão à língua.
General conversation
Não dês tanto à língua.
Business/Official
N/A (Too casual)
Where to 'Dar à língua'
Hair Salon
Sharing local news while getting a trim.
Family Dinner
Discussing distant cousins' lives.
Coffee Break
Venting about the boss with colleagues.
WhatsApp Group
Sending long voice notes about drama.
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Not necessarily! While it often implies gossiping, it can also just mean having a long, enjoyable chat with a friend like Estivemos a dar à língua a tarde toda.
Only if you have a very close, informal relationship. Otherwise, stick to conversar to avoid sounding unprofessional.
Yes, fofocar is the direct verb for 'to gossip', but dar à língua is more idiomatic and common in European Portuguese.
The closest idiomatic equivalent would be 'to wag one's tongue' or 'to have a chinwag'.
You would say Não dês à língua or Para de dar à língua.
Yes, it is understood in Brazil, though they might use dar com a língua nos dentes more often for 'snitching'.
Falar muito just means talking a lot (maybe about science), while dar à língua implies social chatter or rumors.
It is great for dialogue in stories or informal emails, but avoid it in academic or formal writing.
No, it usually implies talking about true (or perceived true) social events, not necessarily making things up.
Not directly from this phrase, but a person who does this is often called a língua-comprida.
관련 표현
Língua comprida
A person who can't keep a secret (long tongue).
Dar com a língua nos dentes
To accidentally reveal a secret or 'snitch'.
Mandar boca
To make a snide or provocative comment.
Falar pelos cotovelos
To talk excessively (to talk through one's elbows).
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