Introduction
Learning a single practical phrase can unlock confidence in real situations. This article teaches English speakers how to say and use the phrase for pointing out that something feels too soft in Brazilian Portuguese. You will learn useful vocabulary, variations, short dialogues for shops and restaurants, pronunciation tips, and common beginner mistakes.
- What this lesson covers
- Key Portuguese phrase
- Other useful variations
- Context: Clothing and footwear stores
- Context: Bakery, fruit market, and food texture
- Context: Furniture and mattresses
- Polite ways to ask for alternatives
- Pronunciation tips for beginners
- Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
- Short realistic examples you can memorize
- How sellers typically respond
- Quick vocabulary recap
- Practical tips for real conversations
- Conclusion
What this lesson covers
We focus on how to express the idea this one feels too soft in Brazilian Portuguese, useful vocabulary related to texture and touch, polite ways to ask for alternatives, and sample dialogues for everyday contexts like clothing stores, bakeries, and furniture shops.
Key Portuguese phrase
The main phrase you will use is Esse aqui está muito mole. This is natural in Brazilian Portuguese when you want to say that an item feels too soft to you.
Breaking down the phrase
Esse means this or that (masculine, near the listener or the item). It is often used when pointing at something.
aqui means here. Combined with esse, it emphasizes the specific item you are touching or holding.
está is the third-person singular of the verb estar, used to describe a temporary state or condition.
muito means very or too (in this context indicates degree).
mole means soft or mushy. In Brazilian Portuguese, mole is commonly used for textures like dough, sponge, fabric, cushions, or fruit.
Other useful variations
If the item is feminine, use Essa aqui está muito mole.
To soften the statement and sound more polite, you can say Esse aqui está um pouco mole which means this one is a bit soft.
To say this one feels too hard instead, use Esse aqui está muito duro.
To ask if there is a firmer option, say Tem algum mais firme?
When to use each version
Use Esse aqui está muito mole when you are confident the item is too soft and you need a replacement or want to describe its condition. Use Esse aqui está um pouco mole when you want to be more tentative or polite.
Context: Clothing and footwear stores
At a clothing or shoe store, you might want to comment on padding, lining, or the firmness of a sole.
Example phrases you might hear or use:
Eu posso experimentar outro?
Você tem esse modelo em outro tamanho?
Esse aqui está muito mole — used when the shoe’s sole or the jacket’s filling is too soft for support.
Short dialogue: trying shoes
Cliente: Posso experimentar esse par?
Vendedor: Claro. Quer experimentar o outro pé também?
Cliente: Sim. Esse aqui está muito mole, pode ver outro modelo?
Context: Bakery, fruit market, and food texture
Brazilian Portuguese speakers often comment about texture when buying bread, cakes, or fruit. Saying something is too soft can mean it’s overripe or overly fresh in an undesirable way.
Useful food-related words:
macio — soft (often used for bread)
mole — soft, mushy (can be negative for fruit)
firme — firm
maduro — ripe
Short dialogue: at a bakery
Cliente: Essa pão está fresco?
Balcão: Acabou de sair do forno.
Cliente: Obrigado. Esse aqui está muito mole para o meu gosto; tem um mais firme?
Context: Furniture and mattresses
When testing a mattress or cushion, firmness matters for comfort. Brazilians use mole and firme commonly to describe comfort levels. Use polite forms if you are asking a salesperson for a different firmness.
Sample phrases for this context:
Esse colchão é macio?
Estou procurando um colchão mais firme.
Esse aqui está muito mole. Tem um mais firme?
Polite ways to ask for alternatives
When shopping or visiting a service desk, these phrases help you find what you need without sounding abrupt.
Tem outro?
Tem um mais firme?
Você tem em outra textura?
Posso ver outro, por favor?
Example: polite exchange in a store
Cliente: Olá, posso ver esse travesseiro?
Vendedor: Claro.
Cliente: Esse aqui está muito mole. Tem um mais firme, por favor?
Pronunciation tips for beginners
Focus on these sounds for clarity:
Esse — pronounce the double s as an unvoiced s sound, like the s in see.
aqui — stress on the second syllable: a-QUI.
está — pronounce the t as in stop; the accent shows stress: es-TÁ.
muito — pronounce mui as a diphthong like mooy-toh but smoother.
mole — say MOH-lee, with the e like the ee in see but softer; in casual speech the final e can sound closer to i.
Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
Mixing masculine and feminine words: Match esse/essa with the gender of the noun you point to. If pointing to a cake (bolo, masculine), use esse. For a dress (vestido, masculine) use esse, for a shirt (camisa, feminine) use essa.
Using duro when you mean firm: duro often suggests hard in a negative or rigid way. For comfort, prefer firme for firm but comfortable items.
Overusing the direct translation too soft: English too soft can imply negative or positive depending on context. Use muito mole for negative (too soft) and um pouco mole for mild comments.
Short realistic examples you can memorize
Na loja de roupas: Essa aqui está muito mole — when the fabric feels limp and you want a sturdier material.
No mercado: Esse aqui está muito mole — when the fruit is overripe.
Na loja de móveis: Esse aqui está muito mole — when the cushion lacks support.
Mais suave: Esse aqui está um pouco mole — less direct, polite.
Mini practice dialogue: asking a friend
Você: Você acha esse travesseiro bom?
Amigo: Parece ok.
Você: Para mim esse aqui está muito mole. Quero mais firme.
How sellers typically respond
Common helpful replies you will hear from sales staff:
Posso trazer outro modelo?
Temos mais firme no estoque.
Deseja experimentar outro?
Quer que eu mostre opções mais firmes?
How to reply politely
Sim, por favor. Obrigado.
Não, está bom, obrigado — when you change your mind and accept the item.
Pode me mostrar outros modelos?
Quick vocabulary recap
Esse aqui — this one (masculine)
Essa aqui — this one (feminine)
está — is (temporary condition)
muito — very / too
mole — soft / mushy
macio — soft (often for bread)
firme — firm
duro — hard
Practical tips for real conversations
Point to the item while saying the phrase to avoid confusion. Brazilians often use gestures alongside words in markets and stores.
Use a softer phrase like um pouco mole when you want to be polite or when asking for advice.
Combine the phrase with a question to find better options: Esse aqui está muito mole. Tem um mais firme?
Conclusion
With the phrase Esse aqui está muito mole and its variations, you can confidently describe items that feel too soft in everyday Brazilian Portuguese situations. Use the vocabulary, dialogues, and polite questions in real contexts like stores, bakeries, and furniture shops to get what you need. Practice the short dialogues and pronunciation tips to sound natural and polite.
