Dar um Bolo in Brazilian Portuguese: Talk About a No-Show — Practice

Use dar um bolo for a missed arrangement

Dar um bolo is an informal expression for standing someone up or not showing up for a plan. It does not mean that a person gave someone a cake; the conversation is about an expected meeting that did not happen.

Say quem deu bolo when you want to identify who missed the plan. Because the expression can sound critical, use it carefully when describing a friend or someone who may have had a serious reason.

Ask what happened without accusing someone

If you are still waiting, use a neutral question first: você sabe se ela vem? (do you know if she is coming?). A late arrival, a changed plan, and a no-show are different situations.

For a plan you need to reschedule, state the time and ask whether the person is available. The expression describes what happened, but it does not explain why.

Choose neutral wording for a formal message

For work or a service appointment, prefira não compareceu (did not attend) or não apareceu no horário combinado (did not show at the agreed time). Those phrases are clearer and less judgmental than slang.

This guide adapts an I Speak Portuguese expression lesson by focusing on plans, no-shows, and neutral follow-up language.

Remember: Use dar um bolo informally for a no-show, but describe the actual timing and follow-up when plans need to be repaired.

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. He stood the group up, and nobody knew whether he was coming.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Ele deu um bolo no grupo e ninguém sabia se vinha.

2. We made plans for seven, but she stood me up.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   A gente marcou às sete, mas ela me deu um bolo.

3. Do you know if Rafael is still coming?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Você sabe se o Rafael ainda vem?

4. I won’t be able to make it at seven. Can we reschedule?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Não vou conseguir chegar às sete. Podemos remarcar?

5. The service provider did not show at the agreed time.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   O prestador não apareceu no horário combinado.

6. I did not attend the meeting. I apologize.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Não compareci à reunião. Peço desculpas.

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 um bolo informally for a no-show, but describe the actual timing and follow-up when plans need to be repaired.

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 Dar um Bolo in Brazilian Portuguese: Talk About a No-Show 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.