B1 Collocation Neutral 2 min read

bastante única oportunidade

only chance

Literally: quite unique opportunity

Use this phrase to emphasize that a specific chance is incredibly rare and must be taken immediately.

In 15 Seconds

  • A rare, high-value chance you shouldn't miss.
  • Combines 'quite' with 'unique' for extra emphasis.
  • Perfect for business, travel, or big life decisions.

Meaning

This phrase describes a rare, once-in-a-lifetime chance that you really shouldn't pass up. It adds extra weight to the word 'unique' to show just how special the moment is.

Key Examples

3 of 6
1

Encouraging a friend to take a job abroad

Aceita o convite, é uma bastante única oportunidade de morar em Lisboa.

Accept the invitation; it's a very unique opportunity to live in Lisbon.

🤝
2

A real estate agent showing a house

Este imóvel nesta zona é uma bastante única oportunidade.

This property in this area is a very unique opportunity.

💼
3

Texting a friend about concert tickets

Consegui os bilhetes! É uma bastante única oportunidade de vê-los ao vivo.

I got the tickets! It's a very unique opportunity to see them live.

😊
🌍

Cultural Background

In Lusophone cultures, there is a strong emphasis on 'not letting the train pass.' This phrase reflects the social value placed on seizing the moment (carpe diem). It is frequently used in advertising and high-stakes social negotiations to create a sense of exclusivity.

💡

The Emphasis Trick

If you want to sound even more native, slow down when saying `bastante` to really emphasize how 'quite' the opportunity is.

⚠️

Grammar Logic

Purists might say something can't be 'quite unique' (it's either unique or not), but ignore them! In real-life Portuguese, we use it all the time.

In 15 Seconds

  • A rare, high-value chance you shouldn't miss.
  • Combines 'quite' with 'unique' for extra emphasis.
  • Perfect for business, travel, or big life decisions.

What It Means

This expression is all about rarity. In Portuguese, bastante means 'quite' or 'very.' When you pair it with única, you are saying this isn't just any chance. It is a one-off moment. It feels like the universe aligned just for you. Think of it as the 'golden ticket' of opportunities. You use it when you want to sound impressed. It conveys a sense of urgency and value.

How To Use It

You place it where you would normally say 'good deal.' It usually sits at the start or end of a pitch. You can say Esta é uma bastante única oportunidade. It sounds a bit sophisticated. It’s perfect for when you are trying to convince someone. Or when you are justifying a big purchase to yourself. We all do that, right? Just remember to keep the gender agreement. Oportunidade is feminine, so use uma.

When To Use It

Use it when the stakes are high. It works great in business meetings. Use it when a friend is hesitating to travel. It’s perfect for real estate or job offers. If you find a vintage leather jacket for five euros, say it. It adds a layer of 'wow' to your conversation. It makes the listener feel like they are part of a secret.

When NOT To Use It

Don't use it for everyday things. Buying bread is not a bastante única oportunidade. Unless the bread is made of gold. Avoid it in very casual slang-heavy chats with teens. It might sound a bit too 'salesy' or formal there. If something happens every week, don't use it. You will lose your credibility quickly. Keep it for the truly special moments.

Cultural Background

Portuguese speakers love to emphasize things. We don't just say something is good; we say it's 'very' good. Using bastante before única is a linguistic quirk. Logically, something is either unique or it isn't. But culturally, we love to add 'layers' of uniqueness. It shows passion and enthusiasm. It reflects a culture that values big, emotional moments.

Common Variations

You might hear oportunidade única more often. Adding bastante makes it more formal and intense. Some people might say oportunidade imperdível. That means an 'unmissable opportunity.' In the North of Portugal, they might just say é agora ou nunca. But bastante única oportunidade remains a classic for making a strong impression.

Usage Notes

The phrase is highly versatile but leans toward professional or persuasive contexts. Ensure the adjective `única` matches the feminine noun `oportunidade` to avoid a common beginner mistake.

💡

The Emphasis Trick

If you want to sound even more native, slow down when saying `bastante` to really emphasize how 'quite' the opportunity is.

⚠️

Grammar Logic

Purists might say something can't be 'quite unique' (it's either unique or not), but ignore them! In real-life Portuguese, we use it all the time.

💬

The 'Agora' Factor

Portuguese culture values the 'now.' Using this phrase often implies that if you don't act 'agora' (now), the chance is gone forever.

Examples

6
#1 Encouraging a friend to take a job abroad
🤝

Aceita o convite, é uma bastante única oportunidade de morar em Lisboa.

Accept the invitation; it's a very unique opportunity to live in Lisbon.

Here it adds emotional weight to the advice.

#2 A real estate agent showing a house
💼

Este imóvel nesta zona é uma bastante única oportunidade.

This property in this area is a very unique opportunity.

Used to create a sense of urgency in a sale.

#3 Texting a friend about concert tickets
😊

Consegui os bilhetes! É uma bastante única oportunidade de vê-los ao vivo.

I got the tickets! It's a very unique opportunity to see them live.

Expressing excitement over a rare event.

#4 Explaining a business merger
👔

A fusão das empresas representa uma bastante única oportunidade de mercado.

The merger of the companies represents a very unique market opportunity.

Formal tone used to justify a strategic move.

#5 Joking about a rare discount on expensive wine
😄

Vinho de 50 euros por 10? Uma bastante única oportunidade de ficarmos bêbados com classe!

50 euro wine for 10? A very unique opportunity for us to get drunk with class!

Using a formal phrase for a funny, low-brow situation.

#6 Reflecting on a life-changing meeting
💭

Conhecer o meu ídolo foi uma bastante única oportunidade na minha vida.

Meeting my idol was a very unique opportunity in my life.

Conveys deep personal meaning and gratitude.

Test Yourself

Choose the correct article and phrase to complete the sentence about a rare solar eclipse.

Ver o eclipse total amanhã será ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: uma bastante única oportunidade

The noun 'oportunidade' is feminine, so you must use the feminine article 'uma' and match the gender.

Which word best completes the emphasis in this professional setting?

Esta proposta é ___ única oportunidade para a nossa startup.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: bastante

'Bastante' is the most natural fit here to mean 'quite' or 'significantly' in a neutral-to-formal context.

🎉 Score: /2

Visual Learning Aids

Formality Scale

Informal

Used with friends for big news

É uma oportunidade única!

Neutral

Standard professional or social use

Uma bastante única oportunidade.

Formal

Speeches or official documents

Trata-se de uma bastante única oportunidade.

Where to use 'Bastante Única Oportunidade'

The Phrase
💼

Job Offer

A dream role in a new city

✈️

Travel

A last-minute trip to the Azores

🛍️

Shopping

A 90% discount on a luxury item

❤️

Romance

Meeting 'the one' at a random party

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Technically, 'unique' is absolute, but in spoken Portuguese, adding bastante is a common way to add intensity, much like 'very unique' in English.

It might sound sarcastic. Use it for significant things, otherwise, you'll sound like a TV salesman.

Bastante sounds slightly more elegant and sophisticated than muito in this specific phrase.

It is always uma bastante única oportunidade because oportunidade is a feminine noun.

Only if you are being very mean or very dramatic, e.g., 'You're losing a bastante única oportunidade by leaving me!'

Yes, it is understood and used in both, though Brazilians might favor oportunidade única without the bastante more often.

Not at all. It sounds like someone who knows the value of what they are talking about.

You could just say é a tua chance (it's your chance) or aproveita! (take advantage!).

Usually, we use it for situations. For a person, you'd just say ele/ela é único(a).

Yes, it is very common in marketing emails or business proposals to grab attention.

Related Phrases

Oportunidade de ouro

Golden opportunity

Agora ou nunca

Now or never

Cavalo selado não passa duas vezes

A saddled horse doesn't pass twice (seize the moment)

Última chamada

Last call

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Start learning languages for free

Start Learning Free