Introduction
This article explains how to use tal in Portuguese to mean such, certain, and that kind. You will learn the basic meanings, grammatical forms, and natural examples in Brazilian Portuguese to help you recognize and use tal correctly in everyday speech and writing.
What is tal and why it matters
Tal is a versatile word in Portuguese often translated as such, certain, or that kind. It appears in fixed expressions and combines with nouns, demonstratives, and pronouns. Understanding tal helps learners sound more natural and precise when describing qualities, referring back to ideas, or making comparisons.
Basic forms and agreement
Tal is an adjective and behaves like other adjectives regarding gender and number. Its forms are:
tal (masculine singular)
tão tal or tal como for comparisons (structure varies)
tá l — there is no contraction for feminine/ plural in everyday usage, but it can shift to tão in comparative contexts.
Note that most uses keep tal unchanged and rely on context. However, when combined with determiners like certo, mesmo, or demonstratives, agreement or additional words may appear. The most common patterns keep tal invariable when referring to an idea or situation.
Main meanings and uses of tal
Tal has three main senses learners encounter: such, certain, and that kind. Each use has its own constructions and nuances. Below we explain them with clear examples in Brazilian Portuguese.
1. Tal meaning such
When tal means such, it describes a quality or type similar to English such. It often appears before a noun or after demonstratives to stress similarity.
Examples:
Ele tem uma tal habilidade que surpreende a todos.
Ela nunca viu tal beleza antes.
Foi uma situação tal que não sabíamos como reagir.
In these sentences tal emphasizes the extent or uniqueness of what is being described. Notice that unlike English, Portuguese often leaves tal without changing for gender or number directly; context and accompanying words clarify meaning.
2. Tal meaning certain
Used to mean certain, tal refers to an unspecified but particular person, thing, or moment. It conveys vagueness while pointing to something specific in the speaker’s mind.
Examples:
Um tal João me ligou ontem, mas não deixou recado.
Havia uma tal confusão na festa que ninguém entendia o que aconteceu.
Em tal situação, você deve pedir ajuda.
In the first example the speaker recalls a specific person called João but implies they do not know him well. In the second, tal suggests a particular kind of confusion remembered by the speaker. This use is common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese.
3. Tal meaning that kind or that type
Tal can point to a category or type: that kind of, that type of. It is useful when comparing or classifying objects and behaviors.
Examples:
Não gosto de tal comportamento em reuniões.
Você trouxe tal documento que eu pedi?
Não precisamos de tal equipamento para este projeto.
Here tal is used to specify a category without repeating a longer noun phrase. It keeps speech concise and natural.
Common constructions with tal
Tal appears in fixed expressions and grammar patterns. Learning these constructions will help you recognize and produce accurate sentences.
Tal como / tal qual / tal que
Tal como and tal qual mean like or just as. They are used for comparisons and examples.
Examples:
Ele age tal como o pai fazia.
A proposta veio tal qual está escrita no contrato.
Ela explicou o problema tal que todos entenderam.
Tal que is less common and often appears in literary or formal contexts. In everyday speech, tal como and tal qual are preferred for comparisons.
Tal e qual
Tal e qual means exactly the same, identical, or just like. It is an emphatic phrase.
Examples:
Ele é tal e qual o irmão quando era jovem.
O resultado saiu tal e qual esperávamos.
Use this expression when you want to stress identity or close resemblance.
Tal coisa and tal dos tais
Tal coisa is an informal way to say something or thingy when you do not want to be specific. Tal dos tais is an idiomatic expression meaning so-and-so or some famous/known people, often with irony.
Examples:
Ele falou sobre tal coisa e não deu detalhes.
Aquela turma, os tales dos tais, sempre chegam atrasados.
These expressions are frequent in spoken Brazilian Portuguese and convey casual or dismissive tone.
Positioning and nuance
The position of tal in a sentence matters. It can come before a noun, after a demonstrative, or alone as a pronoun-like word. Each position slightly changes nuance.
Tal before a noun
Placing tal right before a noun emphasizes the type or quality.
Examples:
Ele tem tal inteligência que resolve problemas difíceis.
Conheci uma tal advogada que é muito competente.
Tal after demonstratives
When following demonstratives like esse, esse tipo de, or aquele, tal refers back to a previously mentioned idea or object.
Examples:
Esse tal projeto precisa de mais verba.
Aquela tal reunião foi cancelada.
In these cases, the demonstrative gives concrete reference while tal adds nuance: the speaker remembers or comments on that particular item.
Tal standing alone
Tal can also stand alone as a pronoun-like word to refer to events, behaviors, or people indirectly.
Examples:
Não aconteceu tal coisa.
Ele falou tal e fez outra.
Here tal functions like a placeholder for an idea previously introduced or assumed.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Beginners often misuse tal by translating directly from English or overcomplicating agreement. Here are clear tips to avoid common errors.
1. Don’t force gender agreement
Unlike many adjectives that change with gender and number, tal often remains unchanged in typical expressions. Focus on context rather than changing the ending.
Incorrect: Ela é tala inteligente.
Correct: Ela é tal inteligente.
2. Avoid literal translation
Translating every use of such or that kind directly into tal may create unnatural sentences. Sometimes Portuguese prefers outras estruturas such as desse tipo, desse jeito, or tão.
English: I have such a problem.
Natural Portuguese: Eu tenho esse tipo de problema.
Less natural: Eu tenho tal problema. (understandable but less common)
3. Pay attention to formality and tone
Expressions like tal coisa and tal dos tais are informal and fit spoken contexts. For formal writing, prefer precise nouns or phrases like determinado, específico, or esse tipo de.
Real conversational examples and translations
Below are natural Brazilian Portuguese sentences using tal with brief English translations to show how the word works in context.
Não quero me envolver em tal problema.
I do not want to get involved in such a problem.
Houve uma tal confusão na rua ontem à noite.
There was a certain confusion on the street last night.
Ele fez um comentário tal e qual ao que ouvi ontem.
He made a comment exactly like the one I heard yesterday.
Traga tal documento amanhã, por favor.
Bring that document tomorrow, please.
Aquela tal história é complicada de explicar.
That kind of story is complicated to explain.
Stylistic and cultural notes
In Brazilian Portuguese, speakers often use tal in relaxed, conversational ways. It can convey hesitation, vagueness, or emphasis depending on tone and context. Radio hosts, bloggers, and everyday conversations use tal to avoid repeating long nouns or when the speaker expects listeners to infer meaning.
Regional variation exists: some regions favor other expressions like desse tipo or assim. Listening to Brazilian media—podcasts, soap operas, or YouTube channels—helps you internalize natural uses and intonation.
Practice tip for learners
To get comfortable with tal, listen for it in authentic sources and notice the context. Try replacing English such/that kind in your head with different Portuguese options: tal, desse tipo, desse jeito, determinado, or aquele. This train of thought helps you choose the most natural phrasing for the situation.
Conclusion
Tal is a compact, flexible word that can mean such, certain, or that kind depending on context. It appears in casual and formal expressions and often avoids grammatical change. By studying common constructions and listening to natural Brazilian Portuguese, you will learn when to use tal and which alternatives fit better in spoken or written contexts.
