Portuguese Phrase
As notas são tão importantes assim?
Meaning
The sentence asks whether the grades (or notes) are really that important. It is often used in informal conversation to question the weight that people give to academic scores.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are discussing school performance, debating the relevance of grades, or reacting to someone who seems overly focused on scores. It works well in casual settings among friends, classmates, or teachers.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Asnotassãotãoimportantesassim?
Definite article + noun
‘As’ is the feminine plural definite article that agrees with the noun ‘notas’.
Verb ‘ser’ (to be) – 3rd person plural
‘são’ is the present‑tense form of ‘ser’ used with plural subjects.
Intensifier ‘tão’
‘tão’ means ‘so’ or ‘that’ and is used before adjectives to intensify them.
Adjective agreement
‘importantes’ must agree in gender and number with ‘notas’ (feminine plural).
Adverb ‘assim’ in a question
‘assim’ adds a nuance of ‘to that extent?’ and is common in colloquial Portuguese questions.
🗨In Conversation
As notas são tão importantes assim?
Are the grades that important?
Depende. Para algumas universidades, sim, mas a vida não se resume a números.
It depends. For some universities, yes, but life isn’t just about numbers.
✕Common Mistakes
As notas é tão importante assim?
‘É’ is singular; the subject ‘as notas’ is plural, so you must use ‘são’.
As notas são tão importante assim?
The adjective must agree in number with ‘notas’, so use ‘importantes’.
As notas são tão importante assim?
When you keep ‘tão’, the adjective must stay plural: ‘tão importantes’.
↔Alternatives
As notas são realmente tão importantes?
Are the grades really that important?
Será que as notas são tão importantes assim?
Could it be that the grades are that important?
Essas notas são tão importantes assim?
Are these grades that important?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, school grades have traditionally been a major benchmark for academic success, but there is a growing movement that emphasizes skills, creativity, and emotional intelligence over pure numbers. When using this phrase, a slightly skeptical tone is common, signalling that you’re questioning the prevailing emphasis on grades.