💡

How to Say ‘As it happens / actually’ in Portuguese

Por acaso

poor uh-KAH-zoo

[poor uh-KAH-zoo]

💬 Usage Tip: por acaso looks like "by chance", and it can mean that. In conversation it often just means "actually", as in por acaso, não "actually, no".

Phrase Breakdown

Por

[poor]

Preposition; with 'acaso' it forms 'by chance'.

Example

Encontrei-a por acaso.

I met her by chance.

acaso

[uh-KAH-zoo]

chance

Noun meaning chance or coincidence; 'por acaso' means actually or by any chance.

Example

Foi um acaso feliz.

It was a happy coincidence.

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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