Acertar em Cheio: Say You Got It Exactly Right — Practice

Use acertar em cheio when someone hits the mark

Acertar em cheio means to get something exactly right, hit the mark, or make a particularly accurate choice. It can describe guessing correctly, identifying the real issue, or selecting something that perfectly fits the situation.

The verb acertar changes with the subject and tense: acertei em cheio (I got it exactly right), acertou em cheio (he or she did), and acertaram em cheio (they did). The expression is conversational and often sounds enthusiastic.

Distinguish acertar em cheio from simply getting an answer right

Acertar can mean to get an answer right, while em cheio adds the idea that the result was especially accurate or apt. For a neutral test result, acertar uma pergunta (get a question right) is enough.

The phrase can also describe hitting a target directly, but in conversation it is frequently figurative. Listen for the object or situation to see whether the speaker means literal accuracy or a successful idea.

Remember: Use acertar em cheio when an answer, description, or choice is especially accurate; use acertar alone for an ordinary correct answer.

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. You got it exactly right: it was just what I needed.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Você acertou em cheio: era exatamente o que eu precisava.

2. Her description hit the nail on the head about the problem.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   A descrição dela acertou em cheio no problema.

3. We nailed the restaurant choice.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   A gente acertou em cheio na escolha do restaurante.

4. The answer is correct; you got the question right.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   A resposta está certa; você acertou a pergunta.

5. The gift was exactly to her taste.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   O presente acertou em cheio no gosto dela.

6. The archer hit the target squarely.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   O arqueiro acertou o alvo em cheio.

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

Use acertar em cheio when an answer, description, or choice is especially accurate; use acertar alone for an ordinary correct answer.

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our Acertar em Cheio: Say You Got It Exactly Right lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.