45 min

language learning center · C2 · Lesson 4

Controlling rhetorical nuance

Practice this topic in Portuguese: Controlling rhetorical nuance.

Understand and learn

Work from a natural example to useful language, one small pattern, a spoken attempt, and a response that is relevant to your life.

Inês

O problema não é a falta de mérito da proposta, mas o facto de ter surgido demasiado tarde.

It is not that the proposal lacks merit; it is that it comes too late.

Miguel

Chamar-lhe prudência é, no mínimo, generoso.

Calling it caution is, to say the least, generous.

Inês

A concessão aparente intensifica, na verdade, a crítica.

The apparent concession actually intensifies the criticism.

Miguel

Para neutralizar o tom, retiraria a ironia implícita.

If I wanted to neutralise the tone, I would remove that implicit irony.

Notice, try, and speak

Understand a natural example and learn a small set of useful words, phrases, and patterns.

Useful words and phrases

These items were selected by the lesson curriculum for practical use—not extracted as an every-word list.

Learn these items
  • O problema não é a falta de mérito da proposta, mas o facto de ter surgido demasiado tarde.

    It is not that the proposal lacks merit; it is that it comes too late.

    O problema não é a falta de mérito da proposta, mas o facto de ter surgido demasiado tarde.

  • Chamar-lhe prudência é, no mínimo, generoso.

    Calling it caution is, to say the least, generous.

    Chamar-lhe prudência é, no mínimo, generoso.

  • A concessão aparente intensifica, na verdade, a crítica.

    The apparent concession actually intensifies the criticism.

    A concessão aparente intensifica, na verdade, a crítica.

  • Para neutralizar o tom, retiraria a ironia implícita.

    If I wanted to neutralise the tone, I would remove that implicit irony.

    Para neutralizar o tom, retiraria a ironia implícita.

  • Para o intensificar, manteria a pausa antes do último ponto.

    If I wanted to reinforce it, I would keep the pause before the final point.

    Para o intensificar, manteria a pausa antes do último ponto.

Notice, try, and speak

Which Portuguese sentence has this meaning: “It is not that the proposal lacks merit; it is that it comes too late.”

Which Portuguese sentence has this meaning: “It is not that the proposal lacks merit; it is that it comes too late.”

Make it yours

Say the five Portuguese turns aloud, then connect two of them naturally.

Change one detail so the message is true for your own life or opinion.

Use it with someone

Use this Portuguese in a real conversation

  1. 1. O problema não é a falta de mérito da proposta, mas o facto de ter surgido demasiado tarde.
  2. 2. Chamar-lhe prudência é, no mínimo, generoso.
  3. 3. A concessão aparente intensifica, na verdade, a crítica.
  4. 4. Para neutralizar o tom, retiraria a ironia implícita.
  5. 5. Para o intensificar, manteria a pausa antes do último ponto.
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