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How to Say ‘Grandma is clapping!’ in Portuguese

A avó está a bater palmas!

ah ah-VOH esh-TAH ah bah-TAIR PAL-mush

[ah ah-VOH esh-TAH ah bah-TAIR PAL-mush]

💬 Usage Tip: Bater palmas is the fixed expression for "to clap," literally "hit palms." Learn it as a chunk: está a bater palmas, começaram a bater palmas.

Phrase Breakdown

A avó

ah ah-VOH

Words in this phrase

[ah]

the

The feminine singular article used before a feminine noun.

Example

A avó está a bater palmas! A casa está cheia de alegria.

Grandma is clapping! The house is full of joy.

avó

[ah-VOH]

grandmother

A noun meaning grandmother or grandma.

Example

A avó está a bater palmas! A avó adora futebol.

Grandma is clapping! Grandma loves football.

Está a bater palmas

esh-TAH ah bah-TAIR PAL-mush

Words in this phrase

está

[esh-TAH]

A form of estar used to describe a current action or state.

Example

A avó está a bater palmas! Está mesmo contente.

Grandma is clapping! She really is happy.

[ah]

Part of the European Portuguese progressive structure estar a + infinitive.

Example

A avó está a bater palmas! Está a celebrar o golo.

Grandma is clapping! She is celebrating the goal.

bater

[bah-TAIR]

clap

Here bater means to clap because it appears with palmas.

Example

A avó está a bater palmas! Ela gosta de bater palmas nos golos.

Grandma is clapping! She likes to clap for goals.

palmas

[PAL-mush]

hands / claps

In the expression bater palmas, palmas refers to claps or applause.

Example

A avó está a bater palmas! O som das palmas enche a sala.

Grandma is clapping! The sound of the claps fills the room.

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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