What Does Por Outro Lado Mean in Portuguese — Practice
A guided practice lesson with English explanations, Brazilian Portuguese examples, and answers you can check. Read the examples, recall the meaning, then say a version of your own.
Use the phrase to add another perspective
Por outro lado literally means on the other side and works as a connector for another perspective. It is useful when a decision has a benefit and a trade-off, or when two people weigh the same situation differently.
The ideas do not need to be exact opposites. The phrase simply tells the listener that you are adding a different angle.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| O apartamento fica perto do trabalho. Por outro lado, o aluguel é mais alto. | The apartment is close to work. On the other hand, the rent is higher. |
| Ela prefere estudar de manhã. Eu, por outro lado, me concentro melhor à noite. | She prefers studying in the morning. I, on the other hand, concentrate better at night. |
Pair both sides of a comparison
When you use por um lado (on one hand), you can later introduce the second view with por outro lado. This paired structure signals that you are comparing considerations rather than changing the subject.
You may omit the first connector when the contrast is already clear. Do not force a pair if you have only one point to add.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Por um lado, o curso é intensivo; por outro lado, termina em dois meses. | On one hand, the course is intensive; on the other hand, it ends in two months. |
| Por um lado, cozinhar em casa economiza dinheiro. Por outro lado, exige planejamento. | On one hand, cooking at home saves money. On the other hand, it requires planning. |
Place it at the start or inside the sentence
At the start of a sentence, follow por outro lado with a comma. It can also sit after the subject for emphasis, usually separated by commas. In speech, a small pause helps the listener hear that you are introducing another consideration.
If you mean a direct contradiction, porém or ao contrário may express that relationship more precisely.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Por outro lado, a equipe já conhece bem esse sistema. | On the other hand, the team already knows this system well. |
| O plano, por outro lado, depende de uma aprovação externa. | The plan, on the other hand, depends on outside approval. |
Remember: Use por outro lado to introduce a different consideration, and use por um lado when you want to make a balanced pair.
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.
The apartment is close to work. On the other hand, the rent is higher.
Show a Portuguese answer
O apartamento fica perto do trabalho. Por outro lado, o aluguel é mais alto.
She prefers studying in the morning. I, on the other hand, concentrate better at night.
Show a Portuguese answer
Ela prefere estudar de manhã. Eu, por outro lado, me concentro melhor à noite.
On one hand, the course is intensive; on the other hand, it ends in two months.
Show a Portuguese answer
Por um lado, o curso é intensivo; por outro lado, termina em dois meses.
On one hand, cooking at home saves money. On the other hand, it requires planning.
Show a Portuguese answer
Por um lado, cozinhar em casa economiza dinheiro. Por outro lado, exige planejamento.
On the other hand, the team already knows this system well.
Show a Portuguese answer
Por outro lado, a equipe já conhece bem esse sistema.
The plan, on the other hand, depends on outside approval.
Show a Portuguese answer
O plano, por outro lado, depende de uma aprovação externa.
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 por outro lado to introduce a different consideration, and use por um lado when you want to make a balanced pair.
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 Por Outro Lado Mean in 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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