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How to Say ‘Almost like a family.’ in Portuguese

Quase como uma família.

KWAH-zuh KOH-moo OO-muh fuh-MEE-lee-uh

[KWAH-zuh KOH-moo OO-muh fuh-MEE-lee-uh]

🇵🇹 In Portugal: Companies sometimes use this to sound warm and welcoming, but like we're a family in English, it can be read either positively or with a bit of skepticism. At a networking event, just treat it as culture talk unless the wider context suggests otherwise.

Phrase Breakdown

Quase como

KWAH-zuh KOH-moo

Almost like

Used to compare something informally, suggesting similarity without being exact.

Example

É quase como um sonho.

It’s almost like a dream.

Words in this phrase

Quase

[KWAH-zuh]

almost

Softens the comparison, making it less absolute.

Example

O ambiente é quase ideal para quem valoriza proximidade.

The environment is almost ideal for someone who values closeness.

como

[KOH-moo]

like; as

Introduces a comparison about how the workplace feels.

Example

Funcionam como parceiros, não como rivais.

They work like partners, not like rivals.

Uma família

OO-muh fuh-MEE-lee-uh

A family

Suggests strong closeness, support, and belonging among people.

Example

Aqui somos uma família.

Here we are a family.

Words in this phrase

uma

[OO-muh]

Feminine singular indefinite article before 'família'.

Example

Uma empresa pode ter uma cultura muito acolhedora.

A company can have a very welcoming culture.

família

[fuh-MEE-lee-uh]

family

Used metaphorically to suggest warmth, support, and closeness in a team.

Example

Quando dizem família, normalmente querem mostrar união.

When they say family, they usually want to show unity.

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

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