How to say “I still make mistakes” in Portuguese

Introduction

Learning to say I still make mistakes in Portuguese is useful for everyday conversations and expressing humility. This article explains natural Brazilian Portuguese ways to convey that idea, with grammar notes, common variations, and real-life examples to help beginner and intermediate learners speak more confidently.

Basic translations and their meanings

The simplest way to say I still make mistakes is to use the verb cometer (to commit, to make) with ainda (still). A direct, natural translation is ainda cometo erros. This phrase is clear and commonly used by native speakers to admit occasional or ongoing mistakes.

Another common verb is errar (to err, to make a mistake). Using errar gives a slightly more humble or informal tone: ainda erro or ainda erro em algumas coisas. Both options are widely understood.

Short summary of key verbs:

cometer erros = to make mistakes (neutral)

errar = to make a mistake (informal, everyday)

Common phrases and short variations

Here are compact, natural alternatives you will hear in Brazil:

ainda cometo erros

ainda erro

ainda cometo alguns erros — adds some specificity

ainda cometo falhas — uses falha (failure, flaw) for slightly stronger nuance

ainda dou umas mancadas — colloquial: gives a casual, self-deprecating vibe

Usage notes

Use ainda to emphasize that mistakes are ongoing rather than occasional. The verb choice affects tone: cometo sounds neutral; erro is more conversational; dou umas mancadas is very informal and not suitable for formal situations.

Negative and softened expressions

Sometimes you want to downplay mistakes. Portuguese has polite, softer ways to admit imperfections without sounding too self-critical.

ainda cometo alguns erros — mild and realistic

às vezes ainda erro — sometimes I still make mistakes

não sou perfeito, ainda erro — I am not perfect, I still make mistakes

These softeners add context. For example, às vezes reduces the sense of constant failure, while não sou perfeito frames mistakes as part of being human.

Expressing progress or learning

If you want to say you still make mistakes but are improving, combine the phrase with verbs like aprender (to learn) or melhorar (to improve).

ainda cometo erros, mas estou aprendendo

ainda erro, mas estou melhorando

ainda cometo erros, mas cada vez menos

These constructions are encouraging and commonly used by students or professionals who want to acknowledge progress. They are useful in classrooms, workplaces, and casual conversations.

Usage notes

State the problem first with ainda cometo erros or ainda erro, then add contrast with mas followed by improvement verbs. This structure feels natural and optimistic.

Polite and formal ways to admit mistakes

In formal settings, prefer neutral verbs and avoid slang. Useful polite phrases include:

permita-me admitir que ainda cometo erros — allow me to admit I still make mistakes

posso cometer erros — I may make mistakes (softer)

não é incomum que eu cometa erros — it is not uncommon for me to make mistakes

These options fit professional emails, presentations, or formal discussions. They maintain humility without sounding overly self-critical.

Casual conversations and native-like expressions

In everyday speech Brazilians use idiomatic phrases that feel more natural among friends:

ainda dou umas mancadas — I still mess up sometimes

às vezes vacilo — sometimes I slip up (vacilar is slang)

sempre tô errando — I’m always messing up (colloquial contraction of estar + gerund)

These expressions are common in informal contexts. Be mindful of tone: vacilar and dar uma mancadas are colloquial and might not suit formal conversations.

Short dialogues with context

Seeing phrases in dialogue helps internalize tone and usage. Below are short, natural exchanges you might hear.

Friend 1: Como tá seu português?

Friend 2: Melhorando, mas ainda cometo erros.

Co-worker 1: Você vai apresentar amanhã?

Co-worker 2: Sim. Espero não errar muito — ainda erro às vezes.

Teacher: Não se preocupe, todo mundo erra.

Student: Eu sei, mas ainda cometo alguns erros na pronúncia.

Grammar focus: verb forms and agreement

Understanding verb conjugation helps choose the correct form. Use the first person singular when talking about yourself.

Present tense examples:

eu cometo — I make (erros)

eu erro — I make mistakes (from errar)

Progressive or continuous idea:

estou cometendo erros — I am making mistakes

estou errando — I am messing up

Past reference:

ainda cometi erros — I still made mistakes (used when reflecting)

já cometi erros — I have already made mistakes (different nuance)

Usage notes

When using present continuous with estar + gerund, you emphasize the action happening now. Use simple present for habitual or general statements.

Pronunciation tips

Pay attention to common pronunciation features in Brazilian Portuguese to sound natural:

Pronounce ainda like eye-ndah with a nasalized n when spoken quickly.

Cometo stresses the second syllable: co-ME-to.

Erro has a soft r in many regions, sounding like eh-ho or eh-ho with a guttural r in some accents.

Informal contractions: estou often becomes tô in casual speech, so estou errando becomes tô errando.

Common mistakes English speakers make

English speakers often literally translate I still make mistakes into Eu ainda faço erros. This is not natural. Fazer is used for make in many contexts, but Portuguese prefers cometer or errar for mistakes.

Incorrect: Eu ainda faço erros.

Correct: ainda cometo erros or ainda erro.

Avoid overusing fazer with erros. Also be cautious with word order: placing ainda after the verb is acceptable but putting it before the verb is more common and natural.

Regional variations and register

Brazil is diverse, and expressions vary by region and social setting. The main differences are in slang and pronunciation rather than in basic grammar.

In the Southeast and South you might hear softer r sounds and more formal register in workplaces.

In the Northeast and large cities you may hear more colloquial variants and different slang like vacilar or dar uma mancadas.

When in doubt, stick to ainda cometo erros or ainda erro. These are widely understood across Brazil.

Practical tips to use these phrases naturally

1. Start with the neutral phrase ainda cometo erros in unfamiliar or formal situations.

2. Use ainda erro when speaking casually with friends or peers.

3. Add contrast with mas + improvement verb to sound positive: ainda erro, mas estou melhorando.

4. Avoid literal translations like eu ainda faço erros.

5. Listen to native speakers and repeat short dialogues to get natural rhythm and intonation.

More real-life examples

Short, situational sentences to mimic:

During a job interview: Sei que posso aprender mais; ainda cometo erros, mas sou dedicado.

Talking to a friend after a language meetup: Falei rápido e errei algumas palavras. Ainda erro, mas tô ficando melhor.

In a class: Eu ainda cometo erros de gramática, principalmente nos tempos verbais.

Reassuring someone: Não se preocupe se errar — eu ainda cometo erros também.

Frequently paired words and phrases

Words that commonly appear with the phrase help you expand sentences:

mas = but

ainda = still

às vezes = sometimes

algumas vezes = a few times

cada vez menos = less and less

aprendendo = learning

melhorando = improving

Combine these to make natural sentences like ainda cometo erros, mas estou aprendendo or às vezes ainda erro.

Quick reference: dos and don’ts

Do:

Use ainda cometo erros for neutral, clear admission.

Use ainda erro for casual speech.

Add mas + improvement to show progress.

Don’t:

Use eu ainda faço erros — literal and unnatural.

Use heavy slang in formal contexts.

Overuse fazer with erros.

Conclusion

Knowing how to say I still make mistakes in Brazilian Portuguese helps you communicate honestly and humbly. The safest choices are ainda cometo erros and ainda erro, with many natural variations for formality and tone. Practice these phrases in short dialogues, add contrast with mas when appropriate, and listen to native speakers to internalize pronunciation and register.