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How to Say ‘It was a bit cold’ in Portuguese

Estava um pouco frio

shtah-vuh oong POH-koo FREE-oo

[shtah-vuh oong POH-koo FREE-oo]

💬 Usage Tip: Weather needs no "it" in Portuguese: estava frio, estava calor "it was hot". Just start with the verb.

Phrase Breakdown

Estava

[shtah-vuh]

it was

Imperfect past of 'estar' (to be), used for describing a state in the past.

Example

A sopa estava quente.

The soup was hot.

um pouco frio

oong POH-koo FREE-oo

a bit cold

'Um pouco' means 'a little'. Say 'oong POH-koo FREE-oo'.

Example

Estou um pouco cansado.

I'm a bit tired.

Words in this phrase

[oong]

An indefinite article used before a masculine singular noun.

Example

Em «um» prazer, o artigo introduz a expressão educada.

In “a” pleasure, the article introduces the polite expression.

pouco

[POH-koo]

little

A small amount or degree.

Example

Espere um pouco para ver o resultado.

Wait a little to see the result.

frio

[FREE-oo]

cold

Adjective or noun for low temperature.

Example

Hoje está muito frio.

It is very cold today.

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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