🏆✅

How to Say ‘We're already winning’ in Portuguese

Já estamos a ganhar

zhah sh-TAH-moosh ah gah-NYAR

[zhah sh-TAH-moosh ah gah-NYAR]

💬 Usage Tip: In Portugal, "-ing" is made with estar a plus the basic form of the verb: estamos a ganhar "we're winning", estamos a perder "we're losing". You'll hear ganhando in Brazil, not here.

Phrase Breakdown

Já estamos

zhah sh-TAH-moosh

We are already

'Já' (already) sounds like 'zhah'. In 'estamos' the first 'e' is barely heard and the 's' sounds like 'sh': 'shTA-moosh'.

Example

Já estamos em casa.

We're already home.

Words in this phrase

Já

[zhah]

already

Prior to a specified or implied time.

Example

Já comi meu almoço.

I have already eaten my lunch.

estamos

[sh-TAH-moosh]

we are

"Estamos" is the first person plural of "estar," used for states or situations.

Example

Estamos num evento para conhecer recrutadores.

We are at an event to meet recruiters.

a ganhar

ah gah-NYAR

winning

In Portugal, 'estar a' + infinitive means '-ing'. 'Nh' sounds like the 'ny' in 'canyon': 'ga-NYAR'.

Example

Estou a ganhar o jogo.

I'm winning the game.

Words in this phrase

[ah]

(progressive marker)

In European Portuguese, 'estar a + infinitive' means doing something right now.

Example

Estou a comer.

I am eating.

ganhar

[gah-NYAR]

to win

To win or to be winning a match.

Example

Queremos ganhar o jogo.

We want to win the game.

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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