Answer Depende Without Ending the Conversation — 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.
Name the condition after depende
Depende means it depends. On its own, it can be a complete reply, but the other person may still need to know what changes your decision. Add de and a noun phrase to name the condition: depende do horário, depende do preço, or depende da distância.
The contraction follows the noun phrase: de + o becomes do and de + a becomes da. In this speaking exercise, focus on making your condition understandable rather than memorizing a list of abstract rules. A condition explains your uncertainty; it is not automatically a yes or a refusal.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Você vai? — Depende do horário. | Are you going? — It depends on the time. |
| Depende do preço da passagem. | It depends on the ticket price. |
| Depende da distância at é o hotel. | It depends on the distance to the hotel. |
Give the other person a next step
After stating the condition, add a question that helps you decide. For example, if the time matters, ask when the activity starts. If you already know your limit, say it clearly instead of leaving the other person to guess. That turns a vague reply into a practical exchange.
Practice an invitation twice: first answer only depende, then answer with the condition and one follow-up. Notice how the second version gives your partner something useful to respond to. Keep the condition real or label the scenario as fictional; the exercise does not require sharing private plans.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Depende do horário. Que horas começa? | It depends on the time. What time does it start? |
| Se for depois das seis, eu posso. | If it’s after six, I can. |
| Depende. Quanto custa a entrada? | It depends. How much is admission? |
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.
Are you going? — It depends on the time.
Show a Portuguese answer
Você vai? — Depende do horário.
It depends on the ticket price.
Show a Portuguese answer
Depende do preço da passagem.
It depends on the distance to the hotel.
Show a Portuguese answer
Depende da distância até o hotel.
It depends on the time. What time does it start?
Show a Portuguese answer
Depende do horário. Que horas começa?
If it’s after six, I can.
Show a Portuguese answer
Se for depois das seis, eu posso.
It depends. How much is admission?
Show a Portuguese answer
Depende. Quanto custa a entrada?
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.
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 How to Say “It Depends” in Portuguese: Use Depende 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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