Introduction
Learning how to express opinions in Brazilian Portuguese starts with one versatile verb: achar. This beginner-friendly guide explains how to use achar to say what you think or feel, with simple grammar, vocabulary, and real-life examples you can use right away.
- What does achar mean?
- Simple conjugation for beginners
- How to use achar to give an opinion
- Practical beginner phrases with achar
- Common variations and related expressions
- Negative and question forms
- Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
- Mini practice exercises for beginners
- Useful vocabulary with achar
- Short dialogue for everyday practice
- When to use pensar instead of achar
- Final quick reference: Do’s and Don’ts
- Conclusion
What does achar mean?
The verb achar is commonly used in Brazilian Portuguese to express opinions, beliefs, or impressions. In many contexts it translates to to think, to find, or to feel in English. For beginners, the most useful meaning is to think or to find when giving an opinion.
Basic idea and direct translation
Use achar to state your view about people, objects, situations, food, movies, and more. It is often followed by que to introduce a clause or by an adjective or noun.
Simple conjugation for beginners
Start with present tense because that is what beginners need most for everyday conversations. Below are the most useful forms.
eu acho — I think
você/ele/ela acha — you/he/she thinks
nós achamos — we think
vocês/eles/elas acham — you all/they think
Quick tip
In spoken Brazilian Portuguese, você is very common for you. Use acha after você: você acha means do you think.
How to use achar to give an opinion
There are three common structures beginners should learn:
1) achar + que + clause: for full sentences with verbs
2) achar + adjective: for short opinions about nouns
3) achar + noun: to say you find something a certain way (less common than the first two)
Structure 1: achar que + clause
This is the most natural way to express a full opinion with a verb. Use que to connect to another verb or phrase.
Examples:
Eu acho que é muito caro.
Translation: I think it is very expensive.
Você acha que vai chover hoje?
Translation: Do you think it will rain today?
Ela acha que o filme é bom.
Translation: She thinks the movie is good.
Structure 2: achar + adjective
Use this when you want a short, direct opinion about a noun without adding another verb.
Examples:
Eu acho difícil.
Translation: I find it difficult / I think it’s hard.
Isso eu acho interessante.
Translation: I find that interesting.
Ele acha estranho.
Translation: He finds it strange.
Structure 3: achar + noun
This is less common for beginners but useful: you can say achar + um/uma + noun to call something a certain name or category.
Examples:
Eu acho uma boa ideia.
Translation: I think it’s a good idea.
Você acha uma perda de tempo?
Translation: Do you think it’s a waste of time?
Practical beginner phrases with achar
Here are everyday phrases learners will hear or use. Repeat them aloud and practice switching subjects to build confidence.
Eu acho que sim. — I think so.
Eu acho que não. — I don’t think so.
Você acha? — Do you think so?
O que você acha? — What do you think?
Eu acho que vai ser bom. — I think it will be good.
Contextual examples: food, travel, and shopping
Imagine common beginner situations and how to use achar inside them.
At a restaurant
Eu acho o prato muito salgado.
Translation: I find the dish very salty.
Você acha que a comida é fresca?
Translation: Do you think the food is fresh?
On a trip
Eu acho essa cidade linda.
Translation: I think this city is beautiful.
Ele acha que dá para ir a pé.
Translation: He thinks it’s possible to go on foot.
Shopping
Eu acho essa jaqueta cara demais.
Translation: I find this jacket too expensive.
Vocês acham que serve para o inverno?
Translation: Do you all think it works for winter?
Common variations and related expressions
Beginners should also know these related ways to express opinion or uncertainty.
achar que não — to think not; a negative opinion
achar que sim — to think so; a positive opinion
achar melhor — to think it’s better
achar ruim — to find something bad
Polite softening phrases
To sound polite or less direct, combine achar with expressions like eu acho que talvez or eu acho que talvez não.
Example:
Eu acho que talvez seja melhor esperar.
Translation: I think maybe it’s better to wait.
Negative and question forms
Form negation by placing não before achar or before the clause with que. Ask questions by inverting tone or using question words.
Examples:
Eu não acho que seja uma boa ideia.
Translation: I don’t think it’s a good idea.
Você não acha interessante?
Translation: Don’t you find it interesting?
O que você acha disso?
Translation: What do you think about that?
Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
Here are typical errors learners make when using achar and simple ways to fix them.
1) Forgetting que after achar when a verb follows
Wrong: Eu acho ele é simpático.
Fix: Eu acho que ele é simpático.
2) Overusing achar instead of gostar or pensar
Note: For liking something use gostar: Eu gosto de música. For thinking as a cognitive verb, achar and pensar can overlap, but achar is more informal.
3) Confusing achar with encontrar (to find physically)
Example: Eu achei meu casaco means I found my coat (physical). Eu acho que meu casaco é bonito means I think my coat is pretty (opinion). Context matters.
Practice tip
Make short sentences about your day using Eu acho que… Try five sentences: about food, weather, class, a movie, and a friend. This builds fluency with the structure.
Mini practice exercises for beginners
Fill the blank with the correct form of achar and que when needed.
1. ___ (eu) ___ você está bem hoje. — Eu acho que você está bem hoje.
2. ___ (você) ___ isso interessante? — Você acha isso interessante?
3. ___ (nós) ___ a prova difícil. — Nós achamos a prova difícil.
4. ___ (ela) ___ não ser uma boa ideia. — Ela acha que não ser uma boa ideia.
5. ___ (eles) ___ uma perda de tempo? — Eles acham uma perda de tempo?
Useful vocabulary with achar
These words commonly appear with achar in beginner conversations.
bom — good
ruim — bad
difícil — difficult
fácil — easy
caro — expensive
barato — cheap
interessante — interesting
estranho — strange
uma boa ideia — a good idea
Short dialogue for everyday practice
Read and role-play the dialogue to hear realistic use of achar.
A: O que você acha desse restaurante?
B: Eu acho que é bom, mas um pouco caro.
A: Você acha que tem opções vegetarianas?
B: Acho que sim. Podemos perguntar ao garçom.
When to use pensar instead of achar
Both verbs can mean to think. Use pensar when talking about plans, intentions, or more formal thoughts. Use achar for casual opinions and impressions.
Example: Eu penso em viajar no fim do mês. (I am thinking about traveling) versus Eu acho que vai ser divertido. (I think it will be fun)
Final quick reference: Do’s and Don’ts
Do use Eu acho que when introducing a full opinion.
Do practice present tense forms: acho, acha, achamos, acham.
Do use não before achar to negate.
Don’t forget que when another verb follows.
Don’t confuse achar (opinion) with encontrar (to find physically) unless context makes it clear.
Conclusion
Mastering achar gives beginners a powerful tool to express opinions in Brazilian Portuguese. Learn the present tense forms, practice the three main structures, and use the everyday examples and dialogue to build confidence in real conversations.
