What Does Dar Ruim Mean in Brazilian Portuguese

Use dar ruim when an outcome goes badly

Dar ruim is informal Brazilian Portuguese for something going wrong, turning out badly, or creating a problem. It can describe a past outcome (deu ruim) or warn that a situation might go badly (pode dar ruim). The expression is casual and often used in everyday conversation.

It does not explain the specific problem by itself. Add what happened so the listener understands whether the issue was a delay, a mistake, a cost, or a safety concern.

Brazilian Portuguese examples with English translations: Use dar ruim when an outcome goes badly
Brazilian Portuguese	English meaning
A gente saiu sem olhar a previsão e deu ruim.	We left without checking the forecast, and it went badly.
Se não confirmar a reserva, pode dar ruim.	If we don’t confirm the reservation, it could go wrong.
Deu ruim com a entrega; o pacote chegou no endereço errado.	There was a problem with the delivery; the package arrived at the wrong address.

Compare it with não dar certo

Não dar certo is a more neutral way to say that a plan did not work out. Dar ruim can sound more vivid or dramatic and may suggest an unpleasant consequence. Choose the phrase that matches the seriousness of what happened.

In a work report, explain the event directly: houve um problema com a entrega (there was a delivery problem). Casual idioms are useful for conversation, but clear details matter in a formal account.

Brazilian Portuguese examples with English translations: Compare it with não dar certo
Brazilian Portuguese	English meaning
O primeiro horário não deu certo, então marcamos outro.	The first time did not work, so we scheduled another one.
O plano deu ruim quando começou a chover.	The plan went wrong when it started raining.
A instalação não foi concluída porque faltou uma peça.	The installation was not completed because a part was missing.

Remember: Use dar ruim in casual speech when an outcome goes wrong. Não dar certo is more neutral; explain the actual problem when precision matters.

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.

A gente saiu sem olhar a previsão e deu ruim.

Context: Use dar ruim when an outcome goes badly

Where are you all going after lunch?We left without checking the forecast, and it went badly.Where should I take these documents?Where are you taking the suitcase?

Se não confirmar a reserva, pode dar ruim.

Context: Use dar ruim when an outcome goes badly

I like the second model more.I prefer to study in the morning rather than late at night.If we don’t confirm the reservation, it could go wrong.I prefer to go by metro. And you, what do you prefer?

Deu ruim com a entrega; o pacote chegou no endereço errado.

Context: Use dar ruim when an outcome goes badly

She calls her mother every day.I go for a walk every morning.Every day, she takes the same bus.There was a problem with the delivery; the package arrived at the wrong address.

O primeiro horário não deu certo, então marcamos outro.

Context: Compare it with não dar certo

The first time did not work, so we scheduled another one.I helped reduce errors by reviewing the process with my colleagues.In that project, I learned how to explain data to people in other departments.What is a typical day like in this role?

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.

We left without checking the forecast, and it went badly.
Show a Portuguese answer
A gente saiu sem olhar a previsão e deu ruim.
If we don’t confirm the reservation, it could go wrong.
Show a Portuguese answer
Se não confirmar a reserva, pode dar ruim.
There was a problem with the delivery; the package arrived at the wrong address.
Show a Portuguese answer
Deu ruim com a entrega; o pacote chegou no endereço errado.
The first time did not work, so we scheduled another one.
Show a Portuguese answer
O primeiro horário não deu certo, então marcamos outro.
The plan went wrong when it started raining.
Show a Portuguese answer
O plano deu ruim quando começou a chover.
The installation was not completed because a part was missing.
Show a Portuguese answer
A instalação não foi concluída porque faltou uma peça.

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 dar ruim in casual speech when an outcome goes wrong. Não dar certo is more neutral; explain the actual problem when precision matters.

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 What Does Dar Ruim Mean in Brazilian Portuguese? 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.

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