13 Comments
I went with it being more like, "It is a pleasure." The translation "it is a favor" is definitely awkward in English. To do someone a "favor" implies that, potentially, the person may ask for something in return.
130
It does mean ¨it is a favor,¨ not ¨it is a pleasure.¨ Erudis explains it further down the page.
"It is a favor" seems awkward to my English-speaking ear. Is this a Brazilian way of saying, 'you're welcome" or "think nothing of it"?
- 2183
The equivalent of "you're welcome" in Portuguese is "de nada". "É um favor" is not really used to mean "you're welcome", it would seem awkward to my Portuguese-speaking ear too, although I would definitely understand the meaning (but it could also sound like they're expecting me to do something in return).
Maybe a good context for this phrase would be "Não precisa me pagar por isso. É um favor.", which means "(You) don't have to pay me for this. It is a favor.".
Obrigada, Erudis! Sometimes I wonder about these phrases that are chosen because I don't want to sound strange when I try to speak Portuguese. I appreciate the response. :-) --Anne
"É um favor" means literally "it is a favor". When you help someone, you are doing a favor. One cannot ask money for a favor, because it wouldn't be a favor anymore. (Favors are free). So, "é um favor" can be used to imply "I would never ask money for that, I'm doing it for free, it's a favor".
This sentence simply makes no sense. What is being said here? I reported it as a mistake.
"É um favor" means literally "it is a favor". When you help someone, you are doing a favor. One cannot ask money for a favor, because it wouldn't be a favor anymore. (Favors are free). So, "é um favor" can be used to imply "I would never ask money for that, I'm doing it for free, it's a favor"
Example:
One asks: how much do you want for it (the help you gave someone)?? You answer: "é um favor" (it is a favor)
