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How to say "Better late than never" in Portuguese


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Joined: 08/08/2009
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The other day a student asked me if we say anything like "better late than never" in Portuguese. Well, we say exactly the same thing:

Quote:
"Antes tarde do que nunca."

 
You might ask: "Doesn't antes mean before?" Yes, it does. In addition, it also means de preferência, or "rather".
 
Here is another Brazilian saying:

Quote:
"Antes pouco do que nada."

 
The literal translation is: Better a little than nothing.
 
For example, say you get to your friend's dinner party really late. You apologize and your friend say's "Antes tarde do que nunca." However, your friend is concerned because there isn't a lot of food left. Then you can say: "Não tem problema. Antes pouco do que nada."
 
Valeu :)

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Luciana Lage

User offline. Last seen 47 weeks 6 hours ago. Offline
Joined: 11/01/2009
Posts: 120

Great, I love learning the 2nd meaning to words, like synonyms!
Do you also say something like, 'now or never'  ??
Or even, Independence or death? - haha just kidding,  I already know about that one.

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User offline. Last seen 1 year 24 weeks ago. Offline
Prof
Joined: 10/23/2009
Posts: 7

It's now or never:
"É agora ou nunca!"

Betania Bezerra
Professora de Português

betania@streetsmartbrazil.com

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